Spring training is a time for optimism, a time where even fans of the lowliest teams can imagine that maybe this will be the year everything comes together. It is of hope, when the new season is closing in and a level of excitement is in the air. Even Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is sharing in that optimism, albeit for a different reason.
In Rizzo’s case, the optimism involves a long term extension with the Cubs, as he said he feels good based on where things stand in those converstaions.
Anthony Rizzo optimistic that extension with Chicago Cubs will come together
This is a departure from this offseason. There was a time when the Cubs appeared to be on the cusp of a fire sale, especially after trading Yu Darvish to the Padres. Rizzo was frequently mentioned in trade rumors, as it seemed possible that he would be sent elsewhere.
This would be the right time for the Cubs to look to extend Rizzo. He is coming off of a down season, posting a .222/.342/.414 batting line in his 243 plate appearances, hitting 11 homers and six doubles. He still provided Gold Glove caliber defense at first, but his offense fell off last year to the point where the Cubs may be able to get a relative bargain.
Rizzo, meanwhile, can point to his track record. The 2020 season was difficult for many players, as even the brightest stars in the game struggled at times. Rizzo had averaged a .276/.379/.499 batting line with 29 homers and 34 doubles in the seven years before as he established himself as one of the top first basemen in the game.
At 31 years old, Rizzo still has some time left in his hypothetical prime. And it is easy to discount his struggles last year as an anomaly based on the strange 2020 season. There is common ground as both sides are interested in getting a deal done, and while Rizzo has set a deadline of Opening Day, he is optimistic that an extension will happen.
Spring training is a time for optimism. That is no different for Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who is optimistic about an extension coming together.