Chicago Cubs News: Will the 2020 season be the ‘Last Dance?’

With the trade deadline approaching and players nearing the end of team-friendly contracts, the days of the Chicago Cubs core may be near an end.

Since taking over as the President of Baseball Operations after the 2011 season, Theo Epstein quickly transformed the Chicago Cubs’ ancient farm system into one of the best talent pools in baseball. Some fans might remember the names of Corey Patterson, Jason Dubois, Felix Pie, Brett Jackson, the list goes on. If you don’t recognize those players, you’re not alone, but they once held the hope of carrying the franchise.

Thankfully, Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer hit big on some transactions and draft picks during the rebuild, except for Javier Baez, who was drafted by former GM Jim Hendry in his final season with the team. Thanks, Jim.

These moves quickly turned the Cubs into a contender and, as you probably know–2016 World Series Champions. One-by-one, we saw the likes of Anthony Rizzo, Baez, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Albert Almora, Kyle Schwarber, and Willson Contreras make their Cubs debuts and establish themselves as the future of the team.

Chicago Cubs’ Rizzo hints at a swan song?

Among those includes Rizzo, who gave his thoughts on a possible “Last Dance” scenario for the Cubs core players before last Thursday’s win over the Brewers.

The Cubs’ first baseman is nearing the end of an eight-year deal with a team option for the 2021 season. Meanwhile, Contreras and Almora are playing on one-year contracts and have two more years of arbitration eligibility following this season. Some more essential questions center around Bryant, Baez, and Schwarber, who are also on one-year contracts but only have one year of arbitration eligibility remaining before becoming free agents.

Technically the Cubs can bring all these players back for the 2021 season, but if long term contracts aren’t signed soon, Epstein may be forced to make a move either at the August 31st trade deadline or in the offseason to bring in some new talent.

The worst thing that could happen is letting these players lose value and walk away without getting anything in return, similar to what we witnessed with the departure of Russell.

Chicago Cubs’ Epstein will be tested

I believe this will be one of the toughest tests Epstein will face in his career. Is it time to move on and trade one of the core players while they still have value? Or do you give them one last shot and see if they can find some 2016 magic under new manager David Ross?

Of course, these possible transactions and new contracts all depend on what happens at the end of this shortened season, or possibly in the upcoming weeks.

The good news is only two players have Scott Boras as their agent–Bryant and Almora. The other good news is that we’ve seen the Cubs come out and play like it could be their last time together. There is an energy and buzz in the dugout every game, very reminiscent of the team in 2015-2016.

It’s been one heck of a ride with this core group, aside from giving the fans what they didn’t have for 108 years, they made baseball exciting to watch. If this 2020 season is their last dance, it doesn’t look like the Cubs will go out quietly.