Cubs president Jed Hoyer said earlier this spring he planned to have contract extension talks with members of the Cubs core. And according to one report, they've made at least one offer.
MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Friday the Cubs have made an extension offer to first baseman Anthony Rizzo, adding "there's still a gap" in negotiations.
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Rizzo has long made it clear he wants to remain a Cub long term. The 31-year-old is the longest-tenured Cubs player, spending the past nine seasons on the North Side following a trade from San Diego in January 2012.
Although Heyman's report cites some gap in talks, Rizzo told NBC Sports Chicago's Gordon Witttenmyer this month he's "very optimistic" of reaching an extension.
“I’ve obviously expressed it before. I love Chicago," Rizzo said. "I love the fans. I love the city. I’m happy here. It’s just about doing what’s right and what makes sense.”
The Cubs first baseman also set a soft deadline for an extension on the end of spring training. Opening Day is next Thursday.
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Whether the two sides come to terms before then, Rizzo has made his love for Chicago clear.
“I want to be here for the rest of my career," he told Wittenmyer. "I want to be here 25 years from now when the Cubs are in the World Series, throwing out first pitches. I’ve seen other Cubs greats come back. That motivates me to keep getting better.”