Remaining Needs: NL Central
2019/12/remaining-needs-nl-central.htmlTo this point, the Cubs have made only the cheapest of additions -- Hernan Perez, Ryan Tepera, Brandon Morrow, Trevor Megill -- while exploring significant trades -- Kyle Schwarber? Willson Contreras? Yu Darvish? Kris Bryant?! Anthony Rizzo?!?! -- that could set the stage for greater roster maneuverability.
Taking Stock Of The First Base Market
2019/12/taking-stock-of-the-first-base-market.htmlunless the Cubs are open to listening to offers on Anthony Rizzo.
How NL Teams Have Addressed Their Weakest Positions Of 2019
2019/12/how-nl-teams-have-addressed-their-weakest-positions-of-2019.htmlBryant's case won't be decided until January at the earliest, leaving the Cubs unsure of how to market one of their biggest trade chips as they look to cut salary by any means necessary, even if that means moving established stars like Bryant, Willson Contreras, Anthony Rizzo, etc.
Remaining Needs: NL East
2019/12/remaining-needs-nl-east.htmlAnother rotation piece (if only for camp competition) and one or more relievers (preferably including a legit setup option) also…
Details On Luxury Tax Bills For Red Sox, Cubs, Yankees
2019/12/details-on-luxury-tax-bills-for-red-sox-cubs-yankees.htmlcome to the fore for the Red Sox, while righty Yu Darvish and first baseman Anthony Rizzo join Bryant among…
Teams Have Inquired About Yu Darvish
2019/12/teams-have-inquired-about-yu-darvish.htmlThe possibility of a shakeup has led to trade speculation surrounding other Cubs notables such as Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez and Willson Contreras.
Free Agent Notes: Keuchel, Cards, Hudson, Nationals, Jays, Porcello, Rondon, Moose, Treinen
2019/12/free-agent-notes-keuchel-cards-hudson-nationals-jays-porcello-rondon-moose-treinen.htmlNationals GM Mike Rizzo told reporters (including MASNsports.com's Mark Zuckerman) that he had begun talks with Daniel Hudson's agent about a possible return to the World Series champs.
Cubs Will Not Explore Anthony Rizzo Extension This Offseason
2019/12/cubs-will-not-explore-anthony-rizzo-extension-this-offseason.htmlYESTERDAY: The Cubs have decided against pursuing an extension with first baseman Anthony Rizzo this offseason, agent Marc Pollack tells Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com.
KBO Notes: Kelly, Wilson, Raley
2019/12/kbo-notes-kelly-wilson-raley.htmlHe was eventually dealt to San Diego in a 2011 blockbuster which also featured Adrian Gonzalez and Anthony Rizzo.
NL East Rumblings: Rendon, Nats, Martinez, Cespedes, Mets, Hatcher
2019/12/nl-east-rumblings-rendon-nats-martinez-cespedes-mets-hatcher.htmlNow that Stephen Strasburg has been re-signed to an expectations-shattering $245MM contract, it doesn't seem like the Nationals could manage another mega-deal to bring back Anthony Rendon...or could they? Both Nats GM Mike Rizzo and agent Scott Boras (who represents both Rendon and Strasburg) told MASNsports.com's Mark Zuckerman and other reporters that the third baseman could still potentially return to Washington, despite owner Mark Lerner's recent comments about his club not being able to afford both free agents.
Nationals Agree To Re-Sign Stephen Strasburg
2019/12/nationals-agree-to-re-sign-stephen-strasburg.htmlbut what about Anthony Rendon, who was the third consecutive first-round pick that president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo knocked out of the park.
Winter Meetings Preview: Nationals’ Trade Chips
2019/12/winter-meetings-preview-nationals-trade-chips.htmlBut if there's value to return, GM Mike Rizzo might do well to look for it this week in San Diego.
Offseason Outlook: Chicago Cubs
2019/12/offseason-outlook-chicago-cubs-10.htmlAnthony Rizzo, 1B: $16.5MM through 2020.
Latest On Cubs’ Offseason Plans
2019/12/latest-on-cubs-offseason-plans.htmlThe possibility of a trade involving first baseman Anthony Rizzo has looked out of the question to this point, but even the franchise favorite might not be off-limits, according to Passan, who names third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant and catcher Willson Contreras as other possible chips for Chicago.
Nats Rumors: Zimmerman, Rendon, Strasburg
2019/12/nats-rumors-zimmerman-rendon-strasburg.htmlGeneral manager Mike Rizzo said Monday (via Dougherty) that the club hasn't met with agent Scott Boras, who represents both players.
NL East Notes: Harrison, Braves, Nationals
2019/11/nl-east-notes-harrison-braves-nationals.htmlGM Mike Rizzo "prefers to assess relievers in-season, with fresh data and video to parse through," Dougherty writes.
NL Notes: Contreras, Banks, Hefner
2019/11/nl-notes-contreras-banks-hefner.htmlThe same can't be said for shortstop, third base, or first base, so a trade of Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, or Anthony Rizzo is tougher to envision.
Payroll Notes: Diamondbacks, Cubs, Mariners
2019/11/payroll-notes-diamondbacks-cubs-mariners.htmlRumors of significant change continue to swirl, but it's hard to argue how moving one of their stars like Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, or Javier Baez will improve the team in the short-term, and it's hard to justify willfully closing the window on the team that won the 2016 championship.
Cubs To Add Colin Rea To 40-Man, Outright Allen Webster
2019/11/cubs-to-add-colin-rea-to-40-man-roster.htmlAs was already a given, the team picked up its $16.5MM option over first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
Cubs Exercise Club Option On Anthony Rizzo
2019/11/cubs-exercise-club-option-on-anthony-rizzo.htmlIn a move that will shock no one, the Cubs have exercised Anthony Rizzo's team option for the 2020 season, as ESPN's Jesse Rogers reports.
Stephen Strasburg Opts Out Of Nationals Contract
2019/11/stephen-strasburg-opts-out-of-nationals-contract.htmlInstead, Mike Rizzo and his Washington front office will likely find themselves negotiating for the starter's services against the bidding of several other competing organizations in short order.
Quick Hits: Twins, Cubs, Rizzo, Strike Zone
2019/11/quick-hits-twins-cubs-rizzo-strike-zone.htmlAfter making a pair of option decisions on Saturday, the Cubs are expected to exercise first baseman Anthony Rizzo's option imminently, reports Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times (link).
NL Notes: Cubs, Epstein, Cardinals, Lindor, Padres
2019/10/nl-notes-cubs-epstein-cardinals-lindor-padres.htmlChicago is accountable for roughly $107MM toward eight contracts next season, before providing for team options on Anthony Rizzo ($16.5MM) and Jose Quintana ($10.5MM).
Free Agent Stock Watch: Jose Abreu
2019/10/free-agent-stock-watch-jose-abreu.htmlDespite the fact that Abreu looks like the clear best option (unless the Cubs inexplicably cut Anthony Rizzo free) in a relatively thin market of free agent first basemen, teams have shown that they are increasingly unwilling to pay big money for anything less than an elite production from the first base/DH positions.
Manager Notes: Bogar, Bochy, Martinez
2019/10/manager-notes-bogar-bochy-martinez.htmlNationals GM Mike Rizzo, for one, believes that those skills have been vital to Martinez's relationships with young players like Juan Soto and Victor Robles.
