It doesn’t mean a deal will get done, even as there is optimism there from the punditry and from Anthony Rizzo, himself. But we do know that last offseason, when Rizzo and his camp broached the idea of a long-term extension with the Chicago Cubs, their efforts were mostly put off to a future time.
So this seems like a bare minimum step one in the process:
Cubs are trying to extend star 1B Anthony Rizzo and have made him an offer. Last word heard is that there’s still a gap. But there’s nearly a week to go before season starts.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 27, 2021
An offer! That’s a start! Now Rizzo can counter, and the Cubs can counter, and the sides can winnow down whatever gap exists to something that can be bridged with bonuses and options language and what-have-you.
Let’s get it done. Rizzo is the long-time face of this franchise, and even at 31, could easily have another productive half-decade+ ahead of him. Maybe a deal in the five-ish years range for probably solidly over $100 million? Are we in the ballpark?