As Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer reportedly aims to make a big move for the offseason ends, he hinted at exactly why a star could be traded with an ominous quote on Friday.
During his appearance on Chicago’s 670 The Score, Hoyer indicated that the Cubs are past the point where the organization could land an extension with most of their core players.
While he didn’t mention them by name, star infielders Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Báez are the obvious players that come to mind.
Bryant is known to be on the trade block and a move will only become more likely once his service-time grievance against the team is settled. Meanwhile, Rizzo told reporters earlier this week that an extension doesn’t seem to be part of the Cubs’ plans right now.
Baez and the Cubs reportedly started discussing a long-term extension in November. However, there have been no indications that both sides are close to a deal in the months since.
While all three All-Star infielders might be with the team when the 2020 season begins, it’s now obvious that they won’t be teammates in Chicago in future seasons.