The Chicago Cubs are reeling. Quite frankly, they are really in a tailspin right now.
After once leading the NL Central a month and a half ago or so, the Cubs are now tied for the league’s worst record over their last 10 games. What once looked like a promising season now appears to have been a mirage as reality sets in.
The MLB trade deadline is just 17 days away now, and the Cubs are selling — without a doubt. There is no chance Chicago buys now, and Jed Hoyer knows it.
“You know, life comes at you fast,” Hoyer says. “Eleven days ago, this is not where we were mentally. Obviously, 11 games certainly changes a lot of things.” (The Score)
It feels like a lifetime ago the Cubs were considering buying at the deadline. But, in actuality, it was only days. Now, the team faces a crossroads with the core that helped win a World Series a few seasons ago. One of those key core pieces who could leave? Let’s just say fans would be distraught.
Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo may end up in another uniform sooner or later.
At the end of this season, Anthony Rizzo will be a free agent. So, he may end up leaving Chicago regardless. The big question right now is, do the Cubs attempt to trade him prior to this year’s deadline?
One team that’s been rumored as a landing spot for Rizzo this month is the team who originally drafted him, the Boston Red Sox. As the Red Sox continue their strong 2021 campaign, one more bat and an excellent fielder could make all the difference in the world.
The Red Sox will be buyers, but will they want Rizzo? If so, how much would Rizzo cost?
If you ask MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, Rizzo might not return exactly what the Cubs would want in a deal. Therefore, it’s easy to see a world where Chicago keeps Rizzo for the remainder of the season. In fact, Heyman believes Rizzo could stick around long-term, even.
“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.” (WBBM)
Well, now that we’re all confused, the only thing left to do is wait.
It would be a dark reality that sets in if the Cubs were to deal Rizzo, along with guys like Kris Bryant or Javier Baez. Most of us already know that Craig Kimbrel is as good as dealt, but one or more of the Cubs’ “big three” could be on their way out as well.
The Cubs would be doing themselves a favor keeping Rizzo around for the next rebuild, as he’s become such a leader in the clubhouse. But, if the Ricketts do not wish to spend long-term (even if it is the team’s unquestioned leader), a world without Rizzo in Chicago is not too far fetched to imagine.
