Chicago Cubs: 3 first round college bats to target in 2020 Draft

With the uncertainty of several contract extensions on the Chicago Cubs roster, Theo Epstein may turn to the draft for offensive help in the future.

At the year-end press conference, Theo Epstein mentioned that the front office would chat with several players on the Chicago Cubs roster regarding potential extensions. Given Kris Bryant‘s grievance hearing and how time-consuming that was, it made sense that Javier Baez would be the most likely to sign a long-term deal.

However, nothing ever materialized from that. In fact, not one player was signed to a contract extension. Scott Boras is widely known as garnering high-profile deals for his clients, so regardless of what he says, the Bryant is going to be difficult to sign long-term.

Anthony Rizzo was a mainstay on the Cubs’ roster through the dark years of the rebuild. But he, too, is finishing out two club options of his seven-year deal. The Cubs’ brass reportedly was not going to discuss an extension with Rizzo last offseason, so that leaves some uncertainty at first base beyond 2021 as well.

The same goes for Willson Contreras. And Kyle Schwarber. You get the picture.

And while pitching is likely to be the priority in June’s draft, it will be hard for Theo Epstein to turn away from some of the top offensive talent in this class. Let’s look at several players they can target within the first couple of rounds.