Anthony Rizzo isn’t blind to the fact 2020, if not 2021, could be the end of the illustrious run of the current Cubs core.
Jon Lester (pending 2021 option) and José Quintana are set to hit free agency after 2020. Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Báez, Kyle Schwarber and Craig Kimbrel will follow after 2021. Willson Contreras follows after 2022.
The Cubs have delivered underwhelming finishes the past two seasons, putting anything on the table as they try to extend their championship window. Trading a core player or two is an option, and even if no moves happen, their roster could look a lot different in two years.
“We’ve got to enjoy these days. every single day,” Rizzo recently told NBC Sports Chicago’s Gordon Wittenmyer. “Because, listen, it’s not Year Two for all of us; it’s coming toward the end for all of us [as a group].”
The Cubs want to extend as many core pieces as possible, but haven't had much success — outside of Rizzo seven years ago and Kyle Hendricks last March.
Rizzo is in that conversation again, though the Cubs shut down talks with him last winter due to their tight financial situation. Talks likely will resume at some point, but the COVID-19 pandemic only clouds things further.
Had the season started on time, the Cubs needed to get off to a fast start or face a big sell-off at the trade deadline. What happens if there's a trade deadline this season, which may feature a shortened schedule?
MLB
Now matter how the schedule shakes out, the clock is ticking on the Cubs core. We know that, and so do they.