Chicago Cubs: Kris Bryant in ‘good place’ says Jed Hoyer

Cubs know they have to make moves with the future in mind

Even if Bryant does return to his MVP-level this season, the trade rumors will still be there depending on where the Cubs stand as a National League contender.

"“Like I said, it’s part of the game. It’s not going away,” Hoyer said. “And it’s also part of trying to explain to them, ‘As long as you’re playing for a big-market team like this, there’s going to be rumors. There’s no way around it, so you’re going to have to deal with some of that.’ ”"

If there is an opportunity between now and the end of this season, I would extend the likes of Bryant, Baez and Rizzo before they hit the free agent market. I would rather take the gamble of doing it now. Assuming they all have solid 2021 seasons, they will cost a lot more in the next offseason with other teams bidding.

It’s easy as a Cub fan to get upset when players like Bryant aren’t performing at the MVP-level we have seen before. That being said, bad seasons happen, and Bryant has too much upside to be written off.

It wasn’t long ago when Ian Stewart and Mike Olt were our third basemen. This franchise has arguably seen more success in the past six consecutive seasons than in the previous 70 years combined.

Let’s not forget who played a large role in that success: Kris Bryant.