Cubs: Three teams who could sign Anthony Rizzo in free agency

In case you missed Anthony Rizzo’s comments on Monday morning, the long and short of it is as follows: the Chicago Cubs and his camp remain nowhere close on the extension front and, at this point, he’s started focusing on the upcoming season, knowing he won’t have a long-term deal in place.

If that, indeed, is how things play out, this time next year, the three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glover could be suiting up for a different team. Once, that was an unthinkable idea – but it’s now looking like a very real possibility.

The front office has failed to extend any of their three big stars this spring – not only Rizzo, but fellow infielders Kris Bryant and Javier Baez. If there are no extensions between now and Opening Day, which is the deadline these guys set for all talks, all three are now legitimate trade chips this summer.

Let’s focus on Rizzo given he’s the hot topic just days from the start of the regular season. Assuming this is the end of the line for the slugging first baseman and the organization, let’s take a look at three teams that could be at play for his services next winter in free agency.