Chicago Cubs: What do Kris Bryant’s comments mean for the future?

The ever-unfolding Kris Bryant saga had yet another development when the pending free agent recently spoke to reporters down in Mesa. Coming off back-to-back offseasons with swirling trade rumors and an uncharacteristaclly bad 2020 season sandwiched in between, it’s safe to say Bryant’s future with the Chicago Cubs is very much in question.

When speaking with the media, Bryant acknowledged that his future on the North Side is very much a question mark. He stated that there hadn’t been any extension talks between he and the Cubs, all in spite of Jed Hoyer saying that spring training was as good a time as any to get an extension done. There’s not many other conclusions to draw other than that Kris Bryant and the Cubs are likely heading to a break up after 2021 if things don’t change in a hurry.

But the comments to the media re-ignite so many questions Cubs fans have about the situation. Why have there been no extension talks? Why do the Cubs seem so uninterested in keeping Bryant around? Will Bryant be traded or will they ride it out? Who could replace him? Is there really no hope for an extension?