(670 The Score) The challenge of conducting an MLB season amid a pandemic means executives are more focused on the personal well-being of their players than the business side of the game.
That's the viewpoint that Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein is taking with star third baseman Kris Bryant, who expressed his hope earlier in the week that he "wouldn't be shipped out in the middle of a pandemic" as the organization balances its future with the present of an unprecedented 60-game season. The 28-year-old Bryant is set to become a free agent after the 2021 season, and he landed in trade speculation often before the coronavirus outbreak halted spring training in March.
While Epstein is understanding of Bryant's wish, he also isn't in a position to offer Bryant the long-term security that he'll desire at some point. Epstein believes the need to focus on safety now and baseball's economic difficulties create a climate in which contract discussions are inappropriate.
"Right now, it's hard enough to predict what tomorrow or next week will look like," Epstein said Friday. "It's a fool's errand to try to predict what next year would look like or the next five years. That's just the reality we're in. I appreciate Kris' comments. I know he loves being here, and he knows we love having him as part of the organization.
"We're at such a critical juncture as we sit here today on July 10, 2020, the currency of the game truly is health and safety. And soon, we'll incorporate wins and losses as a secondary consideration and secondary form of currency. But, dollars and cents, to delve too deeply into that and to discuss contract situations, it gets to a point where if you talk too much about it, it becomes inappropriate given the realities of everything going on in the world and where our focus truly is right now.
"There will be a time to discuss those things later. But I personally don't feel comfortable talking about that right now."
Before the pandemic, speculation persisted that the Cubs could deal Bryant before the usual July 31 trade deadline if they weren't in contention in 2020. The dynamic has since changed, with the trade deadline pushed back to Aug. 31 -- just more than five weeks into the short 60-game season.
Like Bryant, Cubs shortstop Javier Baez, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and outfielder Kyle Schwarber are also set to be free agents at the end of the 2021 season. On Thursday, Baez acknowledged the economics of baseball will be negatively affected for perhaps the next two years, making it unlikely that he negotiates a contract extension during this challenging season.
Though there will be more difficulties ahead, Bryant is hopeful he can have a future with the Cubs.
"You want to be around people that want you and care for you," Bryant said earlier in the week. "I've certainly felt that being a Chicago Cub."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
