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Chicago Cubs: No extensions? Not a major problem or focus for this team

By Jake Misener |
(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Yesterday, rumors surfaced of Kris Bryant turning down a $200+ million extension from the Chicago Cubs. Of course, fans got nervous real quick.

People already view Kris Bryant as a face of the Chicago Cubs franchise – maybe even the face, ahead of fellow corner infielder Anthony Rizzo. So, when you hear he turned down a contract extension ‘well north of $200 million’ – it only makes sense you get a bit nervous.

The discussions on social media quickly turned from Bryant to the Cubs’ young core, as a whole. Why haven’t Theo and Jed pulled the trigger to lock some of these guys up? We’re talking about a substantial chunk of the roster here: Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora, Ian Happ, Javier Baez and, of course, Bryant.

I touched on MLB Trade Rumors arbitration projections earlier this week – and the forthcoming $20 million payroll increase coming via the arbitration-eligible players (excluding Addison Russell, who I believe has played his last game in a Cubs uniform). In short, we’re nearing the time we all knew would one day come – when cost-controlled, young assets start eating up more and more payroll.

For the last four years, Chicago has enjoyed relative payroll flexibility, with the ability to go out and sign guys like Jon Lester, Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward, Yu Darvish, etc. without dealing with uncomfortable payroll crunches. Now, that’s starting to change.

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Looking at it through a somewhat new lens

Kris Bryant is in a league of his own when it comes to the names mentioned above. The only other one even potentially in the same category has to be Baez, who put together the best season of his career this year – one that will likely end in his being named an MVP finalist.

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At his end-of-season presser, Theo Epstein sounded like things are a-changin’ in the offices at Gallagher Way. No longer are we making roster decisions based on promise – but performance. Novel concept – but one that’s overdue, if you ask me.

When guys are first breaking into the league, letting the hype guide some day-to-day decisions actually makes sense. You have to see what these kids can do at the big league level. There are going to be struggles. Accept it and evaluate accordingly. But with most of these guys now in their third or fourth season, it’s time to change how we look at them.

I have little doubt the Cubs are going to make trades this offseason out involving some combination of the guys we talked about. Happ, Almora and Schwarber seem most likely. Russell, of course, would be nice to trade – but I don’t know how much value he has given his suspension and overall poor performance in 2018. 

(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Extensions could have potentially hurt the Cubs

You don’t give contract extensions based on merit or potential. You give them on performance. And, to-date, this is the logic that has prevailed in the Cubs’ front office.

The only two guys I recall getting extension offers (reportedly) are Baez and Bryant. The former was rumored to turn down a five-year, $35 million deal awhile back and, now, Bryant and his $200+ million offer are dominating headlines.

Quite simply put, this young core hasn’t earned contract extensions. So while the payroll stability would certainly be nice when you’re looking at free agents, the Cubs have been right in not giving any members of their young core contract extensions to-date.

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That being said, if you can lock down Baez or Bryant? Get it done. They, unlike their counterparts, have earned them.

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