Cubs Trade Rumors: Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javy Baez Could Become Available

The Chicago Cubs’ roster could look very different by the end of the 2021 MLB season. With the team trimming payroll and not projected to be among the league’s top contenders, there’s already speculation that the Cubs could be sellers at the trade deadline.

Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez and Kris Bryant are all in the final year of their respective contracts. If Chicago looks to be an unlikely playoff team, those players could be available at the right price.

ESPN’s Buster Olney said on Monday’s edition of the “Baseball Tonight” podcast that he believes the Cubs are “absolutely poised for a massive midseason selloff,” noting that Chicago president Jed Hoyer won’t lose the likes of Rizzo, Baez and Bryant without getting anything in return.

Rizzo told reporters Monday that it doesn’t appear he will sign a contract extension with the Cubs before Opening Day. Baez and Bryant aren't expected to sign new deals before the start of the regular season, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.

Rizzo turned down a five-year extension worth $70 million, The Athletic reports. The deal was worth far less than what other All-Star-caliber first basemen have signed for in recent seasons.

“We’ve had enough time to talk and try to figure it out,” Rizzo told reporters. “I told my agents to not talk to me about it anymore, even from this point on. It was good just to have clarity one way or the other. Now I can get ready for the season.”

In last season’s truncated 60-game schedule, Rizzo struggled with a .222 batting average. The 31-year-old had a .924 OPS with 27 home runs in 2019. Rizzo received MVP votes in every season from 2014-2018.

Baez was the runner-up in the 2018 NL MVP race when he led the league with 111 RBI. The shortstop was an All-Star in 2019 with 29 home runs. Baez only posted a .599 OPS last season.

Bryant has been in trade rumors for well over a year. Since winning the 2016 NL MVP award and leading Chicago to a World Series championship that same season, the third baseman has only made one All-Star team. Bryant is the highest-paid player of the group with a $19.5 million salary in 2021.

Chicago might not consider trading its top players if it finds itself in the playoff race this summer. There is still time for the Cubs to sign them to contract extensions.

With +340 betting odds to make the postseason at FanDuel Sportsbook, the Cubs are expected to be in for a long season.

After having MLB’s third-highest payroll last season, the Cubs rank 12th among all teams on Opening Day.