Spring Training is a time for extensions, but things have mostly been quiet around baseball on that front this year. Royals catcher Sal Perez got a huge deal, but that’s kinda been it. With a looming CBA fight and a pandemic to recover from, maybe it’s not a huge surprise.
Maybe we just aren’t going to see the normal run of extensions this year?
So anyway, that is to say the Cubs are not an exception when it comes to having yet to complete any extensions this spring. Unlike most teams, though, the Cubs have a roster nearly half-full with walk-year players, including three guys who’ve been exceptionally closely tied to the Cubs for six+ years now in Anthony Rizzo, Javy Báez, and Kris Bryant. The urgency to get a deal done for the Cubs might be a little higher than for most teams.
Still, here we are, with just seven negotiating days left before Opening Day, no deals done, and no really meaningful updates. Rizzo has expressed optimism about a deal getting done, but has also suggested he wants to cut it off at Opening Day. Báez has indicated he’s open to negotiating beyond Opening Day. Bryant, is, well, unlikely to be extended.
That’s not to say we’ll get a set of updates before a deal comes down. The Kyle Hendricks and David Bote extensions came without much precursor news or rumors, and we already know the Cubs are generally talking with – at least – Rizzo and Báez. An announcement dropping on one of those two any day would not be a shock.
… but the clock sure feels like it’s ticking. The right deal can create value for both sides, and I would really like to see it done before the season begins. It might make for some good posts, but I gotta be honest: I really don’t want to be writing about Rizzo and Báez trade rumors come June and July.
Waiting for the Cubs to extend someone. Anyone. pic.twitter.com/03xQLCyePZ
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) March 23, 2021