Cubs president on Baez, Bryant and Rizzo’s retention: “It’s not realistic to keep all the players”

Chicago. Jed Hoyer plans to talk to Kris Bryant about his future during spring training. Also on the agenda for the Chicago Cubs baseball executive: similar discussions with Javier Báez and Anthony Rizzo.

All three sluggers have contracts that expire after this season, when they can become free agents. How long I stay in Chicago are big questions, as the Cubs open spring training Wednesday in Arizona.

“I would love to have this continuity with these guys in the future,” Hoyer said Tuesday. “From a financial point of view, it is impossible for any team to continue with that group.”

Chicago’s luxury tax salary would have been $ 216 million last year if it had been played all season, well above the tax threshold for the second year in a row.

Bryant, Báez and Rizzo helped Chicago win the World Series in 2016, stopping a championship drought dating back to 1908. The Cubs finished first in the NL Central last season and made the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. But they had only one round in two games in a wild card fight against Miami.

Chicago has not advanced in the postseason since reaching the National League Championship Series in 2017. It is changing. And it’s not clear how long three of the team’s biggest stars will remain.

Bryant’s name, in particular, appeared on commercial rumors. Hoyer said the puppies have not had conversations with other clubs lately.

“We have been involved in many rumors this year. Some were completely inaccurate. And then I would say that some of them were simply exaggerated – the seriousness of those discussions, “said Hoyer.

He also acknowledged that several changes are coming, that the chances of keeping Bryant, Rizzo and Baez are slim. Bryant has a salary of 19.5 million dollars, Rizzo 16.5 million dollars and Baez 11.65 million dollars.

“I said all the time, very clearly, that we wanted to keep some of these players, “Hoyer said.” It would be great. But it’s not realistic to keep all the players who were an important part of 2016. That’s just a reality. “

Chicago made some big moves in the offseason.

Theo Epstein resigned and Hoyer was promoted to president of baseball operations.

Caubas traded ace Yu Darvish with $ 3 million to San Diego, saving $ 56 million in 2021-23, and said goodbye to Jon Lester, who signed a $ 5 million deal. with a year, with Washington in free agency. They refused to offer a contract to slugger Kyle Schwarber, who signed a $ 10 million deal with the Nationals and gave Joc Pederson a $ 7 million deal to replace him.

The puppies meet a familiar face after Jake Arrieta agreed last week to a $ 6 million deal that is awaiting a physical deal. The winner of the 2015 Cy Young League Award would essentially take Lester’s place after Hoyer received some financial flexibility in recent weeks.

“It was more a matter of time than anything else,” Hoyer said. “Jon Lester has been a constant in my career. I like to have it. He is an A-plus teammate and obviously an A-plus competitor. ”

Hoyer said the chicks are close to adding help, saying they will “probably” announce an agreement soon. He also said that Rowan Wick will be delayed until the beginning of the camp due to a muscle injury in the coastal area, and Kyle Ryan will be delayed due to COVID-19 protocols.

When it comes to closer, the chicks look ready. This post belongs to Craig Kimbrel for now.

Manager David Ross said he is looking forward to starting the season in his family role, having done better last year. The All-Star fought seven times in early 2020 and lost its job. But in eight appearances in September, Kimbrel did not allow a run and hit 13 without a walk in 7 1/3 innings. Jeremy Jeffress, who had 1.54 ERAs and eight saves in 10 chances, is a free agent.

“It hit some bumps,” Ross said. “He worked to get back to himself. Talking to him, he feels great this season. The work, the videos you sent, already looks great. … As long as Craig is who we know he can be, he’ll be closer to us. “