(670 The Score) It seems inevitable that the struggling Cubs will be sellers and make a few of deals before the trade deadline on July 30.
With that said, it just remains hard to envision them trading veteran first baseman Anthony Rizzo, Jon Heyman of MLB Network and Audacy Sports said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Monday morning.
“Rizzo, I still don’t believe that they’ll trade him,” Heyman said. “I think that he’s a Cub. We shall see. Maybe he doesn’t mind at this point the way the Cubs are doing, if he wants to try to win this year. Maybe he’ll be OK with it. But I just feel like they’re going to keep Rizzo long term. We shall see, no guarantees here.”
Rizzo, 31, is set to become a free agent at season’s end. He has played in Chicago since 2012 and become the clubhouse leader. Part of the reason he’s more likely to stay is because the expectation is he’ll net far less on the trade market than closer Craig Kimbrel and infielder/outfielder Kris Bryant, as first base is generally a position in which it’s easier and cheaper to find solid production.
Beyond that, Rizzo is having an average season in hitting .247 with 10 homers, 33 RBIs and a .771 OPS in 79 games. He has also had nagging back problems.
In Heyman’s mind, the trade chip that will be most valuable for the Cubs continues to be Kimbrel, who has a 0.57 ERA in 33 appearances in 2021.
“Kimbrel’s market should be huge,” Heyman said. “The guy has performed this year. He’s got his mojo back, shall we say. He’s been really good, and the market is always going to be good for a closer. Teams are going to be looking for closers, no question about that. He helps any bullpen.”