(670 The Score) The looming reality hovering over the Cubs as they enter the 2020 season is that their core could be nearing its end together.
The Cubs have a number of key players with contracts expiring after the 2021 season, including first baseman Anthony Rizzo, third baseman Kris Bryant, shortstop Javier Baez and outfielder Kyle Schwarber. While players like Schwarber would love to keep the Cubs' core together beyond their current contracts, there's also an understanding of each player's personal situations.
"That's all the business side," Schwarber said. "Those are things that us as players, we can't always control our future. Sometimes it's going to be, 'You know what? You might want to go to free agency, whatever it is. But, you know what? The team might come at you and want to extend you.' Things like that.
"That's more for the individual to decide for themselves. That's their own personal business. Obviously, we'd all love to be here with each other. But at the end of the day, it's a business decision, it's a family decision. You want to do what's best for you, your family and your career."
The Cubs have enjoyed a great deal of success with their current core, including winning the World Series in 2016. But the team went 84-78 in 2019 to miss the playoffs for the first time in five years, adding to the uncertainty of what's ahead.
Schwarber is hopeful for what the Cubs can still accomplish with their core players.
"The core out here, a bunch of great dudes," Schwarber said. "Trust me. You can't say enough about the character about all these individuals out here on the field, how we want to go about our business. In my mind, this is a winning product. If we're all together for the rest of our careers, that's all going to be a positive. That's a plus. But the reality is it might not happen."
