Cubs to pursue Rizzo reunion? Forget about it

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Could the Cubs pursue a reunion with former franchise cornerstone Anthony Rizzo after the MLB lockout ends?

Don't count on it.

Despite a report the Cubs have had "internal discussions" about pursuing Rizzo, NBC Sports Chicago's David Kaplan has reported repeatedly they have no intention of pursuing any of their ex-core traded last summer, including Rizzo.

That said, team president Jed Hoyer has said the obvious publicly since the trade deadline selloff: The Cubs won't rule out reunions with their former core in free agency this winter.

But one of those players already signed in Javy Báez without so much as an offer from the Cubs.

From the time of the Cubs' selloff, Kaplan has reported the decision has been made privately not to pursue any of the former core in free agency this winter.

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Whether that changes might depend on if those players' markets bottom out — which there's no way to determine due to the lockout. Teams and free agents have been unable to communicate since the lockout began over two months ago.

From there, the move would seem to be an awkward fit, considering:

  • The Cubs low-balled Rizzo last spring with a five-year, $70 million extension offer that would have been a pay cut in annual average value. Rizzo was insulted and cut off talks ahead of Opening Day.
  • The Cubs' best performer over the final two months last season was Frank Schwindel, who earned NL Rookie of the Month for the only two months he played. Schwindel will get an opportunity to be the everyday first baseman in 2022.
  • Reunions of this nature rarely succeed for any number of reasons.

As Kaplan has reported, the Cubs view the selloff as ripping the band-aid off. 

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