Chicago Cubs have nothing to report on the contract front

The Chicago Cubs have as many as 18 potential free agents after this season, but there are only three that people are paying a lot of attention to. Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, and Kris Bryant are the biggest names, the players that have been a key part of the Cubs’ success. These players will be key to determining the team’s future beyond this year as well.

To this point, there has not been much talk as to what the Cubs are going to do with their impending free agents. That should not come as a surprise as president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said that the team is not currently engaging in talks with its core players.

All quiet with the Chicago Cubs

In a way, this report makes a great deal of sense. The Cubs had indicated that they were uncertain of the direction they would take leading up to the trade deadline, with May being a pivotal month. One had to sense that the Cubs would not only need to play well, but remain within striking distance of the NL Central, if they are to add to the roster.

Perhaps that is why the Cubs have yet to begin extension talks with their Big Three free agents. It would not make sense to start discussing a long term deal, only to turn around and trade those players weeks later.

Hence the waiting game. The Cubs had made an extension offer to Rizzo previously, although it came in far short of the deal the Cardinals gave to Paul Goldschmidt. One would assume that extension, which kicks in at the same age, would be the baseline for an extension.

But those talks will have to wait, as will any discussions with other members of the roster. The Cubs are not in a hurry to discuss extensions just yet, and may be waiting until they know what they are doing for the season. There is still plenty of time should the Cubs look to keep those players around.

The Chicago Cubs have yet to engage any of their key free agents in extension talks. Considering their questions about the direction of the team, that is not a surprise.