Chicago Cubs: Kris Bryant seems more open to an extension – just not right now

Chicago Cubs: The landscape has changed over the last six months

On Monday, Bryant was asked if “he’d be more open to an extension than he may have been before.” His response: “I would say, ‘yeah.'” Now contrary to what you might think, that’s not all that different to his replies in the past. He’s always had a lot of good things to say about the organization – and his latest was no different.

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"“I would like to think that I wouldn’t be shipped out in the middle of a pandemic,” Bryant said. “But I’m trying to make it clear that I really love it here. I love playing here, and I love everything about the city and the people.”"

We honestly hadn’t heard much on that front of late – and that’s not really a surprise. Ownership’s public stance as far as finances go is that they’re hemorrhaging money on a ‘biblical’ scale. That’s on top of the fact that Tom Ricketts had no intention of spending even pre-coronavirus pandemic. Taking all that into account, it’s hard to envision a fair deal being worked out this season.

For Bryant, that’s just fine. He made it clear that talking about such a deal right now would be in poor taste given the economic devastation COVID-19 continues to leave in its wake across the globe. Again, that’s the right answer. That’s what you want the face of your franchise to say in such a situation. People really don’t give this guy the credit he deserves.

He’s a father now. The economic landscape of the sport is on uneven ground, to say the least. We’re less than two years from a potential labor stoppage and CBA negotiations. Could all of these factors create a perfect storm? One that would keep Bryant in Chicago the rest of his career?

"“You want to be around people that want you and care for you and I’ve certainly felt that being a Chicago Cub.”"