Chicago Cubs: Will recent extensions affect young core?

Chicago Cubs: Could other youngsters sign team-friendly extensions?

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While Hendricks and Baez lead the way for probable extension candidates, there are several other members of the vaunted “young core” who the Cubs could lock up with team-friendly extensions that guarantee players financial stability.  While Kris Bryant probably isn’t on that list given the rumors and his status as a Boras’ client, his buddy, Anthony Rizzo, might be in line for a new extension.

Signed to one of the most team-friendly deals ever, Rizzo makes only $40 million the next three seasons at the tail-end of that deal.  Extending the 29-year-old Rizzo into his mid-30s makes a lot of sense from many angles.

First, he would seem to be the one guy on the roster right now who most everyone sees as a “Cub for life.”  Secondly, his philanthropic efforts could be bolstered with more years and more money on an extension.  Lastly, it makes sense as Rizzo is likely to be a solid player worth the money for the next five or six seasons.

Another player likely to sign a deal for many of the same reasons is a guy a little less entrenched, but just as much of a hero in the city of Chicago: Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber, like Rizzo, is a guy who could be a Cub for life.  He’s also a guy who seems primed for a breakout season given the fact he possesses all the tools to be a big-time power bat in the middle of a formidable order.

He’s already proven it on the biggest of stages and is a hero in Chicago both on and off the field with his philanthropic ventures.  A five or six-year extension to a guy in his first year of arbitration provides guaranteed money to Schwarber and continuity/discount on the back end for the Cubs. Another added bonus for both Schwarber (and maybe even Rizzo as he gets older) is that the NL DH seems inevitable, and would make him all the more valuable if it happens.

Obviously, other Cubs like Willson Contreras, Albert Almora, and Ian Happ would be candidates as well. And given their lack of consistency, the Cubs might be able to parlay that into team-friendly deals, thus eliminating the need for costly free agents and extending the Cubs’ window of contention.

While it’s nice to dream about signing Bryce Harper, extending some of our own players could provide more of a boost to the franchise and team going forward. If nothing else, it would give the team and fans a clearer picture of where the Cubs are financially and set salaries that would otherwise be unknowns.