(670 The Score) The Cubs continue to have an "open mind" about their approach leading up to the trade deadline on July 30, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Thursday.
"We have had moments of struggle and periods of playing well," Hoyer said as his Cubs sat at 21-21 entering play against the Nationals on Thursday. "I think we are playing well right now. I hope this trend continues and we can go down to St. Louis this weekend and play well. I am just trying to keep an open mind about this team and the deadline. There is still a lot of time. There are two months and 10 days. So I will keep an open mind about it. We have to be prepared for a lot of different outcomes."
Three iconic Cubs in third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant, shortstop Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo are set to be free agents at season's end. That continues to be their path, as the Cubs haven't had any contract extension talks with representation for any of the three players since the season began, Hoyer said while also providing some obfuscation.
"If we do have conversations, the appropriate thing would not be to talk about it on Zoom," Hoyer said. "Being perfectly honest with you, talking about it doesn't help this process. This is a relationship and contract negotiation that does not need to talked about beyond that. If we were talking, I would have to be honest about it and say we were not."
Hoyer added that before making any potential trade, the Cubs will have a clear understanding from the player and his representation about what they want the future to hold. That feedback will factor into the Cubs' approach.
"Do I anticipate that there will be conversations with the agents or the players one-on-one?" Hoyer said. "Yes, I do anticipate that happening. But again, we will keep those talks in-house. Those conversations deserve to be kept in-house."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
