Cubs Reportedly Won’t Offer Contract Extension to Anthony Rizzo This Offseason

One of the best first basemen in baseball increasingly faces a murky, uncertain future on the North Side of Chicago.

Theo Epstein and the Cubs have decided not to pursue and extension with first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who figured to be a prime candidate for a new deal in David Ross' first season as manager in Chicago. The information comes straight from the player's agent, Marc Pollack, via Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago.

Rizzo hit .293 with 27 home runs and 94 RBIs for the Cubs this season, although he was unable to push them into the playoffs. The three-time All-Star will make $14.5 million this season, which is a bargain given how consistent he has been over the last few campaigns.

The Cubs did pick up Rizzo's $16.5 million option, which will keep him in Chicago until the end of the 2021 season. After that date, however, things could get really messy, as the likes of Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, and Willson Contreras will all be looking for new contracts.

The Cubbies could be in for some major changes at the beginning of the Ross era. Within a year, the core of this team could find itself looking a whole lot different as it optimizes for the future.