Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein is hoping the team can improve on a disappointing 2018 season in which they lost in the NL Wild Card game to the Colorado Rockies. Epstein has spent the last few days at the GM Meetings with all of the talk surrounding what the Cubs could do this offseason and free agents Manny Machado and Bryce Harper.
But on Friday, a report came out from ESPN’s Buster Olney that may have sent some shockwaves through Chicago.
According to Olney, the Cubs would consider trading former MVP Kris Bryant this off-season. Here is what Olney wrote on Friday afternoon:
Theo Epstein, the head of baseball operations, was asked earlier this week at the GM meetings about the availability of Bryant and first baseman Anthony Rizzo in trades.
“We’ve never operated with untouchables,” he said. “It sends the wrong message. Given what we’re trying to accomplish, it would be virtually impossible to envision the deal that would make sense to move them. I just don’t believe in untouchables. Why limit yourself?”
Now before you panic, that doesn’t say the Cubs are trading Bryant. I read this as anyone is available at this point for the right deal, but it seems highly unlikely the Cubs would move on from a player like Bryant right now, especially with three years of control.
Bryant is not being shopped. Cubs doing nothing more than operating under longstanding policy of listening with a "no untouchables" policy. No different than any other year. Would take a shocking haul/scenario for team to consider moving him.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) November 9, 2018
The Cubs could be looking to make a big move by pursuing Harper and Machado but rumors have it they wont due to their salary situation. Epstein hasn’t really signaled one way or the other yet but if anyone can make it work, it’s likely him.
For more on the Cubs, please check back with ChiCitySports.
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