Future unsure for core
Rizzo: ‘Nobody knows what’s going to happen’
Anthony Rizzo didn’t share the same concern as many members of the Chicago Cubs about finances affecting the future after his team’s 2-0 Game 2 loss to the Miami Marlins, an National League wildcard defeat that led to their elimination fromthe postseason.
“I’m not worried about that stuff,” Rizzo said Friday at Wrigley Field. “Everything will take care of itself the way it’s supposed to. I’ll just leave it at that.”
Actually, that will be left in the hands of team ownership and President Theo Epstein as they cope with financial ramifications of COVID-19 that have resulted in the cut of nearly 100 staffers in their baseball and business operations departments, the uncertainty of whether fans will be admitted to Wrigley Field next year and a need to address a farm system void of major-league-ready players.
Rizzo stands to make $16.5 million if the Cubs pick up his team option, and teammates Javier Baez, Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber can become free agents after 2021. Willson Contreras will hit the market the following season.
All five players had subpar years, and an offense that has declined since the middle of the 2018 season will need to be addressed.
The Cubs managed only one run and nine hits— four from Ian Happ — in the two games against the Marlins, and Rizzo, Baez and Bryant were a combined 1-for-24. Since winning the 2016 World Series title, the trio is 19-for-142 (.134) with 52 strikeouts and six walks in 13 postseason games.
Rizzo thought itwas too soon to speculate but does believe ownership is committed to winning.
“Who knows where this game is going to go, where this country is
going to go, where life is going to go?” Rizzo said. “Baseball next year is so far way. I know for fact Mr. (Tom) Ricketts wants to put a winning team on the field. Our fans deserve it, the city deserves it.
“We have a lot of guys in this clubhouse who have helped us win and have continued to help us win. So I knowTheo and everyone, top to bottom, will be putting the best product on the field and do what’s best for this organization.”
But nothing can be certain after the player development department was cut one year after several additions.
Baez’s representatives and the team were making progress toward an extension until the pandemic hit, but his poor season and the Cubs’ severe financial cuts could change the landscape of negotiations.
“I hope Inever leave this city inmywholecareer, but anything can happen,” said Baez, who made the prorated portion of $10 million this season. “Hopefully I stay here my whole career. I love the fans, the dedication that they’ve got for this team and the other teams in Chicago.
“So we’ll see what happens, and hopefully I stay here.”
Bryant, 28, battled through his third consecutive season of injuries and made$18.6 million in 2020. A report two years ago incorrectly stated he turned down an offer worth $200 million, which has accelerated outside speculation that he would be dealt.
Bryant described Friday’s loss as a “weird feeling” butwas inthemoodto do more reflecting than forecasting his future with the Cubs.
“I feel like this year, it’s been a nice growth for me, just in that nobody knows their future,” Bryant said. “Nobody knows what’s going to happen.
“I don’t knowmy future, so I just feel grateful for whatIhave inthismoment and being able to talk to you guys in this awesome room that wasn’t here when I first got here (in 2015) in this awesome clubhouse.”