Chicago Cubs Could Be Looking At Trading Kris Bryant While Extending Other Members Of Their Core

The Chicago Cubs started their expected fire sale by trading outfielder Joc Pederson to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. But does the Pederson trade mean Kris Bryant, Craig Kimbrel, Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo are all on the block? Maybe not.

Bryant and Kimbrel are likely going to get the biggest return of the Cubs’ top four assets, and it looks like the team is comfortable with parting ways with those two guys.

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But a new report from MLB Network’s Jon Heyman claims the Cubs could extend Rizzo and Baez even during/after trading Kris Bryant.

while Kris Bryant, Craig Kimbrel and other Cubs are on the block, there are signs the Cubs will try to lock up Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo before talking trades for them @MLBNetwork

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 16, 2021

While the reports definitely riled up some Cubs fans, members of the Chicago media were quick to remind everyone that this wasn’t really anything new.

General manager Jed Hoyer has maintained throughout the season that he would continue extension talks with Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo during the season. And it’s not really a surprise that the plan hasn’t deviated too much.

Hoyer and the Cubs brass is likely still in the process of sorting everything out and seeing which options they think make the most sense going forward.

If it’s financially feasible, maybe they will trade Kris Bryant and lock up Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez for the future.

That wouldn’t be a very popular move, though.

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