Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is not about to extend Kris Bryant or Javy Baez just yet.
Even with the Chicago Cubs playing beyond expectations, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer was hesitant to say the club will extend star players like Javy Baez or Kris Bryant this winter.
The Cubs are in a tough spot financially, as they are slated to still lose money this year. Ownership allows the front office to operate at break-even. Unfortunately, the financial losses of the last two years might cost the Cubs Baez and Bryant in their free agencies. If the Cubs were to bring back one star that is hitting the market, it is expected to be first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
Hoyer and the Cubs may have to make good business decisions, but fans want these extensions.
Chicago Cubs: Jed Hoyer will not commit to star players getting extensions
The Cubs enter play on Thursday night vs. the New York Mets at 38-30 on the season. This has them tied for first place in the NL Central race with the Milwaukee Brewers. They are percentage points ahead of the San Diego Padres for the second NL Wild Card spot, if the season were to end today. Simply put, the only way to thwart an inevitable rebuild is for the Cubs to extend their stars.
The global pandemic had a negative effect on all 30 MLB franchises financially, but not every one of them is so public about their disarray when it comes to the books. Winning is a cure-all for everything sports-related. If the Cubs can keep playing up to this lofty standard, there is plenty of reason to believe they can win the NL pennant this year. Of course, they can’t sell off their players.
Even if the Cubs keep winning, the front office will not budge when it comes to extension talks.