SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (670 The Score) -- Since the end of a disappointing 2019 season and fueled by owner Tom Ricketts' ominous message that the Cubs aren't likely to be large spenders in free agency, speculation has swirled about who the team might trade to fortify its roster for 2020 and improve its long-term outlook.
Cubs president Theo Epstein understands that's part of the offseason cycle. You just won't find him supplying the rumor mill himself.
"While it's true there are no untouchables, we are not going to contribute to this environment where there is this hysteria about a certain player or given day and it turns out not to happen," Epstein said as the GM Meetings opened Monday. "And the next day it's on to next player who's definitely going to get moved."
While that can be the Cubs' approach, it's also true that Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer will be tested in a way rarely seen since the early stages of the organization's rebuild, which started when they took over in October 2011. Epstein and Hoyer tore the Cubs' system down and rebuilt the team into a World Series winner in 2016.
The Cubs have since underachieved, notably in going 84-78 and missing the playoffs this past season. With a big splash in free agency seemingly out of the picture, the Cubs' challenge now is replenishing the big league team and farm system with young talent in a trade without leaving too many holes on the 2020 team.
Which means there will be plenty of trade rumors. Most recently, catcher Willson Contreras has found his name in that rumor mill.
"In any offseason, there will be rumors about major league players and even your best players, but that doesn't necessarily mean its true," Epstein said. "No one knows how this winter will evolve, so you should take any name that comes up in a trade rumor with a mouth full of salt is appropriate, not just a grain of it. They are usually untrue. That doesn't mean it comes from a malicious place. But sometimes it can have real-world negative consequences for the player and his family. I don't want to make these great players' lives more difficult. Most trade rumors are not true. We have no idea how this offseason is going to go down. We have a ton of respect for the big league team. We will try to operate with a lot of respect for our players, and hopefully the public narrative will reflect that as well."
The Cubs have offered many of their core players extensions in the past few years, sources said, but they didn't reach an extension with anyone except right-hander Kyle Hendricks. In the baseball landscape, big names being mentioned in trade rumors can often be interpreted as a warning of what teams feel they must do if their offers continue to be refused.
Epstein maintains that's not how he operates, but he knows the Cubs must also face reality. First baseman Anthony Rizzo, third baseman Kris Bryant, shortstop Javier Baez and outfielder Kyle Schwarber are all on a path to become free agents after the 2021 season, which is also when Epstein's contract is set to expire.
"The bottom line is we have not been able to sign a lot of our key players to contract extensions," Epstein said. "We have to face that reality. We can't operate in a theoretical world where a few more of these guys will sign. We certainly have been trying, but it hasn't happened yet. There is no ill will. It takes two sides to make a deal make sense and happen. We will see if anything comes from those talks or if there will be significant talks."
Meanwhile, Epstein arrived at the GM Meetings ready to lay the groundwork for what's to come.
"I don't know what the offseason is going to look like," Epstein said. "I know in an ideal world, you can enhance your team and put a really good product out there and your team has a chance to win the World Series and also take significant steps of insuring your future. This (the GM Meetings) is the start of finding out what realistic steps we can take."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
