Although we never bought it from the start, that report from ESPN that the Cubs would be willing (even considering) to move Kris Bryant this winter in trade has been shot down by the man at the top of the food chain.
You can check out his full story – with quotes from Theo Epstein – right here:
Cubs President Theo Epstein shoots down Kris Bryant trade talk:
“We are lucky to have some impact players and we are looking to add to them, not subtract.”https://t.co/aEIyuxSAgv via @PWSullivan pic.twitter.com/cn4V2ztNhU
— Chicago Sports (@ChicagoSports) November 9, 2018
In short, Epstein confirmed that the answer he gave was to a “general question about whether we have untouchables” and not about Bryant or any other player specifically. Epstein went on to suggest that like any organization, they’ll always be open to listening, but that’s just an operating philosophy and nothing more.
And to really drive the point home, Epstein said that the Cubs lucky to have certain impact players in-house, but that, if anything, the team is looking to *add* to that group, not subtract. So obviously, you can assume the Cubs are signing Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, and possibly even trading for Babe Ruth.
So there you go. Moving on.