5 colossal trade chips in the impending Chicago Cubs fire sale

Chicago Cubs: The end of the Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo bromance?

They’ve been inextricably linked in Cubs lore and fandom as “Bryzzo” for the last six years and they’ve been putting the ding in dinger both on and off the field for most of those years. Unfortunately, even though they are both multiple time All-Stars, they’re also both free agents after the 2021 season. Which means, in simple terms, they’re highly likely to be flipped for some prospects in the next three weeks.

Bryant had been enjoying a renaissance year at the plate, proving all the haters and pessimists wrong, but that kind of came to a screeching halt on the last day of May. Through May 31, Bryant was sporting a .324/.406/.611 slash line. Things haven’t gone all that well since, as he put up a .114/.205/.241 in the month of June. So why would anyone take the seemingly broken slugger? Well, it seems it was just a prolonged slump (or serious dislike for the June page of the calendar) for the All-Star, as he’s already 6-for-12 in July and looking much more like one of best all-around players in baseball.

Rizzo, on the other hand, hasn’t exactly had a wonderful season, but it has been good enough to garner interest for someone who needs another bat in the lineup, especially if they also need a really good first baseman. Rizzo isn’t on his normal 30 home run/100 RBI pace, but with a .344 OBP and his glove, someone will bank on him having a big second half.

So, could these two faces of the franchise really be shipped out in a sell-off? Bryant would seem to be the more likely what with his value, versatility, production, and the fact that the Cubs haven’t been able to secure an extension with him yet, but Rizzo could be in the same boat despite his deep connections to the city, charitable operations, and longstanding de facto captainship. If either are traded, you can be sure the Cubs will be looking for young prospects in return, perhaps even teenagers in the same vein as the players received in the Darvish/Caratini deal last offseason.