MLB Announces 2025 Draft, 2026 International Signing Period Bonus Pools

[Jamie Cameron]

This week, MLB released bonus pool allocations and pick values for the 2025 MLB Draft. Additionally, the league released international signing bonus pools for the 2026 signing period.

Image courtesy of © Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

The Cubs finished the 2024 season with the 16th-worst record in MLB. As usual, they are in a challenging financial position ahead of the 2025 Draft, compared to teams who receive additional compensation picks for being revenue-sharing recipients. The Cubs have the 9th-smallest bonus pool overall, at $9,636,800.

The Cubs' top-100 picks and slot values are as follows:

• Slot value for pick 17: $4,750,800
• Slot value for pick 56: $1,680,000
• Slot value for pick 90: $865,500

Their financial and pick inflexibility puts the Cubs in an unfavorable spot. This draft class is shaping up to be uncertain in terms of top-tier talent, but with plenty of depth through around 75 picks, with prep bats a demographic of strength.

Reminders on Draft Financials
Organizations are allowed to spend up to 5% more than their total pool without incurring a penalty, a choice most teams take advantage of. The Twins and the Rockies are the only MLB teams who have never spent any overage on their bonus pool. Any amount up to 5% over the pool is met with a 75% tax on the overage. If a team spends between 5-10% more than their pool, the penalty is 75% tax on the overage and loss of a future first-rounder. Any team who exceeds their bonus pool by more than 10% up to 15% pays 100% tax on the overage and will lose a first- and a second-round future pick. Any team who exceeds their bonus pool by more than 15% loses two future first-round picks, in addition to paying 100% tax on the overage.

Rounds 11-20 work differently from the first half of the draft. These picks do not come with an assigned slot value. Teams can spend up to $150,000 per pick without that spending coming out of their bonus pool. If they spend over that amount, any overage will be deducted from their bonus pool. For example, an 11th-round pick signing for $250,000 will result in $100,000 being subtracted from that team's bonus pool. 

MLB Announces 2026 International Bonus Pools
MLB announced bonus pools for the 2026 international signing period today. The 2026 signing window opens on Jan. 15th, 2026 and runs through Dec. 15th, 2026. The Cubs are in a group of eight teams who have middle-of-the-pack bonus pools. The Cubs can spend $6,679,200 in the 2026 international signing window.

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