David Ross Has Reassuring Comment About Kris Bryant's Role on 2020 Cubs
By Brendan Balsamo
Since their first championship in 108 years back in 2016, fans in the North Side of Chicago surely assumed Kris Bryant was destined to be a lifelong Cub. Therefore, when trade rumors surrounding Bryant began to circulate after a disappointing 2019, there was some deserved skepticism and fear from fans around the Windy City.
However, the Cubs' new manager happens to be one of Bryant's former teammates, David Ross. He had something to say for himself on the matter at hand, and it might just speak to a number of Cubs fans' concerns.
David Ross on the Kris Bryant trade rumors that permeated the offseason: "I'm looking at win totals and championships. And Kris Bryant helps us win games."
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 11, 2020
The Cubs would naturally to see Kris Bryant on another team. They are a franchise that yearns to make a playoff push, and as a former NL MVP, Bryant is the kind player who can still consistently contribute to the cause while hitting for average and power year in and year out.
Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said on ESPN 1000 that "it's frustrating" to hear that Kris Bryant might get traded.
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) February 5, 2020
Rizzo: "We got two more years left with a lot of the core guys, why don't we go try to win another World Series?"
In 2019, Bryant ended up with a .284 average while cracking 31 home runs and 77 RBI, enough for a third All-Star appearance. While the Cubs still missed the playoffs by five games, their core of Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber, Yu Darvish, and Jon Lester is still more than talented enough to make a spirited run at the NL Central.
It's obvious that Ross wants Bryant on his team in 2020, and with the recent success of younger first-time managers around the league, a Ross-Bryant dynamic duo might be just what the Cubs need to make a return to the postseason.