Chicago Cubs may implode under Theo Epstein this offseason

Chicago Cubs: Even with speed and power, is star Kris Bryant really gone?

Kris Bryant has undoubtedly contributed to the Cubs’ overwhelming success in the last half-decade. He hit .282 last season, marking a solid 10-point increase from his injury-marred 2018 performance. Although his season ended prematurely, this season definitely marked a return-to-form of sorts for Bryant.

Add to those numbers his his 77 runs batted in and 74 walks – not to mention his 131 OPS+ and .382 on-base percentage – and it would seem the team should be perfectly content with their former MVP, right?

Unfortunately, Bryant is currently involved in an ongoing dispute, having to do with the team keeping him in the minor leagues a bit too long back in 2015. If Bryant wins, he would be entering the final year of his contract with the Cubs come spring. And if that is the case, Chicago will most likely trade their star to help ease the payroll tax they would be hit if Bryant stays.

So the question remains: Is Kris Bryant helping or hurting the Cubs organization by staying on board? I will let you, the reader, decide.