3 Cubs players who won’t be back next season
By Mark Powell
The Chicago Cubs are in complete free-fall, and it’s completely expected. The North Siders are closing in on a franchise-record losing streak, but who will be back to redeem themselves next year?
The question for the Cubs might not be ‘Who won’t be back’, but rather ‘Who will be back’?
Chicago traded all of its assets away at the trade deadline on July 30, including but not limited to Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Craig Kimbrel and Javier Baez. The 2016 World Series core — and more — are long gone.
The next generation of Cubs stars must take the next step this coming season, and along with it the front office must give them the best chance to succeed. This will mean tough decisions across the board.
Chicago Cubs rumors: Austin Romine, among others, is gone
Romine entered the season as a backup catcher behind Willson Contreras, but his numbers don’t dictate another season at Wrigley Field. The veteran is hitting just .133 in 15 games.
Yet, when Willson Contreras was recently sent to the injured list, it was Robinson Chirinos, rather than Romine, who got the starting not. Chirinos is fairing much better at the plate, and can still supply enough defensive prowess to be a reliable backup to Contreras next season. Both Romine and Chirinos will be free agents this offseason, but if the Cubs have to choose one to re-sign, it surely will not be Romine.