Chicago Cubs front office covering themselves in trade talks
By David Hill
The Chicago Cubs entered the season with three key players about to hit free agency. Although it was highly unlikely that Kris Bryant would agree to a long term extension, there was optimism that both Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez would remain as a part of the franchise. Both players had been vocal about their desire to remain in Chicago; it was just a matter of the Cubs stepping to the plate.
Now that the Cubs are looking to sell, they are also ready to discuss extensions. They have yet to shop Baez or Rizzo as they are hoping to ink both for the long term before the trade deadline.
while Kris Bryant, Craig Kimbrel and other Cubs are on the block, there are signs the Cubs will try to lock up Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo before talking trades for them @MLBNetwork
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 16, 2021
Chicago Cubs waiting until last minute to discuss extensions
On the surface, it makes sense to wait. The Cubs seemingly want Rizzo and Baez as a part of their future, especially as they have indicated that this is not a true rebuild. Keeping both in the fold would accelerate their timeline to contend once more.
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But making their interest in potentially extending both players covers the Cubs front office. While Bryant may be a star and someone that the fanbase appreciates, he was not expected to be a permanent member of the franchise. Baez and Rizzo have had that feel, and are loved on a different level because of that.
This is something that the front office has to be aware of as well. Trading Baez and/or Rizzo, while not unexpected, would be an extremely unpopular move. By claiming that they were interested in extending both players before a potential move is made, they can say that they just could not agree to terms.
The sincerity of their desire to keep both players does have to be questioned. There are exactly two weeks left until the trade deadline, meaning that those talks would have to come to fruition quickly. With the front office engaged in trade discussions, it is fair to wonder how much of a priority these extensions truly are.
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The Chicago Cubs claim that they have an interest in extending Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo. The timing of these statements appears to just be a cover.