Relatively speaking, the core talent at the Chicago Cubs is still quite young. Sure, Anthony Rizzo, Jason Heyward, and Kyle Hendricks are 30, but beyond them, Kris Bryant (28) is the oldest in the group, followed by Willson Contreras (28), Kyle Schwarber (27), Javy Baez (27) , David Bote (27), Victor Caratini (26), Albert Almora Jr. (26), Ian Happ (25) and Nico Hoerner (23).
You may not feel that way because most of these players have been around since the 2015-2016 career, but they are still young. And, of course, with talent.
Unfortunately, while they may be young and talented, not everyone is young and talented * AND * under the control of the team in the future. But that is something that Kris Bryant hopes to change:
Kris Bryant, on keeping the nucleus together as long as possible:
“It would be great if everyone stays here and plays together and sees what we have, and when we are old and fat and tired, we leave here. That would be incredible.” “
– Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 6, 2020
Earlier today, Bryant indicated that changes in the world at large (COVID-19), as well as in his own little world (a new baby!) Could make him more likely to accept an extension of the Chicago Cubs. And he wants to take the whole gang with him!
I just can’t see the image of a 43-year-old Kyle Schwarber in left field shooting a laser at a gray Willson Contreras behind the plate in 2036.
If it were up to me, each of these guys would get an extension, not just to keep the gang together, but also because cost certainty in the years to come may be more important than ever. So, I’m with you, Kris. Sign them all. Let’s look at a little beer in a decade or two.
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