Cubs: Kris Bryant won’t be traded any time soon and should be extended

Cubs: CBA will also play a role in how this whole thing shakes out

Depending on how Bryant and Boras want to see the season play out, taking a short-term deal might be out of the question. It should be noted Bryant has said he is open for extension talks at any time.

If Trevor Bauer received a record-breaking deal with a career 3.90 ERA but one Cy Young season, I think Bryant will get big money for an MVP-type of year. Like Bauer, the upside to Bryant remains high. That promise plus a strong season will prompt one or more teams in need of a franchise player to pay Bryant what he is looking for.

Negotiations of a new collective bargaining agreement for the 2022 season and beyond is also something players and their agents will keep in mind.

There’s a lot of factors Hoyer and the Cubs can take when it comes to signing Bryant and the other remaining core players. If the team falls out of contention, I think it’s safe to assume one or more of the upcoming free agents will be traded for future assets at the deadline.

So what happens if the team competes? Even with the Cardinals offseason moves, the Cubs will still be in the thick of things in a weak NL Central. Whatever Hoyer has up his sleeves hopefully it’s a well thought out plan, because it’s been a mess up to this point.