Cubs president on holding Báez, Bryant and Rizzo: “It’s not realistic to keep all the players”

Chicago. Jed Hoyer plans to talk to Kris Bryant about his future during spring training. Also on the agenda for the Chicago Cubs ’top baseball executive: similar discussions with Javier Báez and Anthony Rizzo.

The three toleteros have contracts that expire after this season, when they can become free agents. How much longer they stay in Chicago are big questions, as the Cubs open spring training on Wednesday in Arizona.

“I would love to have that continuity with these guys in the future,” Hoyer said Tuesday. “Financially, it’s impossible for any team to continue with this group.”

Chicago’s luxury tax payroll would have been $ 216 million last year if it had been played full season, well above the tax threshold for the second year in a row.

Bryant, Báez and Rizzo helped Chicago win the World Series in 2016, stopping a championship drought dating back to 1908. The Cubs finished first in the Central Division of the National League last season and reached the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. But they only got one run in two games in a wildcard sweep against Miami.

Chicago has not advanced in the postseason since reaching the National League Championship Series in 2017. A makeover is underway. And it’s unclear how much longer three of his biggest stars will stay with the team.

Bryant’s name, in particular, has emerged in exchange rumors. Hoyer said the Cubs have not struck up talks with other clubs lately.

“We were embroiled in a lot of rumors this year. Some were completely inaccurate. And then I would say some were just exaggerated: the seriousness of those discussions,” Hoyer said.

But he also acknowledged that more changes are approaching, that the chances of retaining Bryant, Rizzo and Báez are slim. Bryant has a salary of $ 19,500,000, Rizzo $ 16,500,000 and Báez $ 11,650,000.

“We’ve said all along, very clearly, that we’d like to keep some of those players, ”Hoyer stressed.“ That would be great. But it’s not realistic to keep all the players who were an important part of 2016. That’s just a reality. “

Chicago made some important moves in the offseason.

Theo Epstein resigned and Hoyer was promoted to president of baseball operations.

The Cauba traded ace Yu Darvish along with $ 3 million in San Diego, saving $ 56 million from 2021-23, and fired Jon Lester, who signed a $ 5 million one-year contract with Washington in free agency. They refused to offer a contract to goaltender Kyle Schwarber, who signed a $ 10 million contract with the Nationals, and gave Joc Pederson a $ 7 million deal to replace him.

The Cubs are reuniting with a familiar face after Jake Arrieta agreed last week to a $ 6 million deal that is pending a physical examination. The 2015 National League Cy Young Award winner would essentially take Lester’s place after Hoyer received some additional financial flexibility in recent weeks.

“It was more a matter of time than anything else,” Hoyer said. “Jon Lester has been a constant in my career. I love having him. He’s an A-plus teammate and obviously an A-plus competitor.”

Hoyer indicated the Cubs were close to adding a reliever, saying they would “probably” announce a deal soon. He also said Rowan Wick will be delayed at the start of camp due to a muscle injury in the rib area, and Kyle Ryan will be delayed due to COVID-19 protocols.

When it comes to locksmiths, the Cubs seem to be ready. This work belongs to Craig Kimbrel for now.

Manager David Ross said he expects the season to begin in his family role after throwing better at last year’s final straight. The seven-time All-Star had problems in early 2020 and lost his job. But in eight appearances in September, Kimbrel didn’t allow a run and struck out at 13 without a ball base in 7 1/3 innings. Jeremy Jeffress, who had an effectiveness of 1.54 and 8 saves on 10 occasions, is a free agent.

“He went through some potholes,” Ross said. “He worked to be himself again. Talking to him, he feels great this off-season. The work, the videos he sent, already looks very polished. … As long as Craig is who we know he can be, it will be our lock “.