(670 The Score) Everyone on and around the Cubs understands that Thursday could mark the final Opening Day for the organization’s core together.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo’s contract extension talks – or lack thereof recently – have been a dominant topic during spring training. Like Rizzo, shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant are set to be free agents after the 2021 season. All three have been All-Stars and were central figures in the Cubs winning the World Series in 2016.
Before their futures are decided, all three have a 2021 season to focus on. While he understands the stress that comes with an uncertain future, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer believes each is well-equipped to handle any noise and anxiety about the future.
“I don’t really see it as a different mentality for this group,” Hoyer said on the Bernstein & Rahimi Show on Thursday. “This is a team that’s been playing under pressure for a long time. It’s a big market. There’s expectations, as there should be. And so I don’t really see, I don’t think anyone is going to panic about that. That’s just sort of the nature of life in a big market.”
The Cubs signaled a willingness to focus on their long-term future by trading ace Yu Darvish to the Padres for four prospects in December, which means selling other veterans before the trade deadline is certainly in play. That makes getting off to a strong start important if the group wants to remain together for the full season, but Hoyer noted there’s plenty of time.
“Roughly 120 or so games before the deadline, right?” Hoyer said. “I do feel like that’s two-thirds of the way through the season.”
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