Last week we mentioned that the Chicago Cubs and Kris Bryant might not be headed towards a separation this winter. Then Scott Boras, when addressing the media, suggested that the Cubs had “great plans” for Bryant in 2021. It seems that Boras, the Cubs, and Bryant might be reserved to the idea that Bryant will indeed hit the market after the 2021 season.
Whether you believe Boras’s comments suggest Bryant will remain a Cub this year or not, it does look like Boras intends to bring Bryant to free agency. In his conversation, he made a point to say that he and the Cubs have always had good conversations on Bryant’s future. Going as far as to intend that there have been some conversations on extensions. Conversations seem to be just that, conversations and not actual offers.
This had been the idea that some have passed around. There were ideas, concepts, and conversations, but nothing had ever materialized. This could be what David Kaplan had heard back last year. But in speaking with those in Bryant’s camp, they have adamantly confirmed that not a single offer has ever been made.
So now we move into the final year of Bryant’s contract, and with the Cubs not talking extension with any of their players at the moment, Boras, Co. seems to be steadfast on moving the KB ship to free agency in 2021.
“Sometimes you get water in your boat,” Boras said when discussing the state of the Chicago Cubs. “First thing is to figure out how that water got in there and (then) make sure you get the water out of it before you add people to the boat. It’s about understanding the players you have.”
Boras understands that the Cubs are in a weird spot. They have a roster full of players that didn’t perform in 2020, the worst time for them to underperform as the finances are now biting the organization as well. Even if the club wanted to assess these players to decide which ones they want to roll into the future with, they can’t make honest assessments after their poor play.
Do they ride with Anthony Rizzo? Or is 2020 a sign of his health and age catching up to him? Afterall, first baseman tend to fall off hard and fast, and you don’t have to live with them as they are the easiest position in baseball to replace. What about Javier Baez? I mean, unless you’re a Cubs fan, being able to tag base runners magically isn’t a reason to give a player $25 million a season. What about Bryant then? There has been a recent track record of injuries that have slowed his performance, do you give him $25 million a year if you’re getting less than expected play?
That is what the Cubs will need to figure out, and maybe they use 2021 to figure that out. If you get bounce-back campaigns from some of these players you can invest in them long-term. We will still see one or two of them leave, so that will make 2021 an incredibly important year to bridge to potentially the next championship run.
This brings me to the next point… the Cubs are not rebuilding folks. That isn’t a thing that will be happening here for a very long time. Sure, they might retool, so you can see them take a competitive step back to come back stronger, but there will be no 100-loss seasons, no trading of every asset they have, and there will not be a stress on the minor league system. This will be a retooling where Jed Hoyer and his band of merry Merriweather’s determine the best bet long-term and build around those players. It is very likely that the Cubs decide the best players to build around are guys like Willson Contreras and Ian Happ, while allowing Baez, Bryant, and Rizzo to walk.
While we have always heard Bryant suggest that he wants to be here, and Boras would do what he wants, this might be a pivot from the Bryant camp. I do know that the unnecessary and unwarranted criticism Bryant has received from the ugliest of the Cubs fanbase has made an impression on those near him. In a season where he left his newborn, played with a deadly virus being passed around at insane rates, playing through 95% of the season injured while hearing he was weak and often injured – I wouldn’t want to stay here.
The fact that he still suggests that he would rather play in Chicago than anywhere else, in front of a fanbase that will support him, but still prefers the Cubs says a lot about his character. But wouldn’t you understand why he would listen to advisors about potentially leaving? I love the Cubs, will always love the Cubs, regardless of who plays for the team, but if my fans treated me like they treat Bryant, I’d leave with no questions asked.
