Cubs: 3 selling points for Kris Bryant to return to Chicago this offseason

2. Point out future pieces they received from fire sale

Once the Cubs suffered the aforementioned losing streak, they decided to pull the plug on one final run to the postseason with their core. While it did sting to see all of those players sent elsewhere, the Cubs are in decent position to rise up the standings in the near future based off the pieces they received in the fire sale.

Here are some of the pieces they received at the trade deadline:

• 2B Nick Madrigal (Chicago White Sox)
• OF Pete Crow Armstrong (New York Mets)
• P Alexander Vizcaino (New York Yankees)
• OF Kevin Alcantara (Yankees)
• OF Alexander Canario (Giants)
• P Caleb Kilian (Giants)
• OF Greg Deichmann (Oakland Athletics)

It is a pretty decent haul that could help accelerate the rebuild process (if all goes well). The Cubs could point to these return pieces to Bryant to try and convince him that the future is bright in the Windy City.

1. Bryant can become clear face of the franchise

If the Cubs want to, they can sell Bryant on the fact that he will become the clear face of the franchise.

Since joining the Cubs back in 2012 following a trade from the San Diego Padres, Rizzo was viewed as “Mr. Cub.” Much like Bryant, Rizzo was one of the main pieces traded at the deadline. Rizzo was traded to the New York Yankees and played a huge role in the team’s turn around and ascension up the AL Wild Card standings.

Given what Rizzo has done with the Yankees, there is always the possibility that the team can basically hand him a blank check to stay in the Bronx long-term. Also, there is the chance the Boston Red Sox pursue Rizzo in free agency, as they reportedly held “preliminary conversations” with the Cubs for the veteran first baseman at the trade deadline before the Yankees swooped in.

With Rizzo not a guarantee to return to Chicago, that would give Bryant the chance to be the face of the Cubs organization. Maybe, just maybe, that can get a deal done between both parties.