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Cubs president Theo Epstein told ESPN's report on Friday that Chicago was ready to trade third baseman Kris Bryant.
Epstein did not exactly refute the rumors, but he defended what he had said earlier in the week at the Director-General's meetings. Epstein said the organization had "never worked with untouchables," adding: Some players are "so important to us on the pitch and in the clubhouse it would be a step back."
"I've answered a general question about the fact that we have untouchables," Epstein said Friday via the Chicago Tribune. "Like most companies, we will not listen to anything, but it's just a philosophy of operation.
"We are lucky to have impact players, and we are looking to add some, not to subtract."
ESPN announced earlier Friday that the Cubs had informed other teams that they were "willing to discuss the commercial proposals of almost every player on their list." The report adds that Bryant, who won the rookie of the year title in 2015 and the title of most valuable player next season, could move "as early as this winter".
Bryant struggled in 2018, beating .272 with 13 homers while he was limited to 102 games. He has twice been on the list of people with disabilities with left shoulder problems.
"This year has not been as I wanted it to be," said Bryant at the end of the season, according to Tribune. "But I think it's in your weak spots that you're so low that you build a character and you probably learn the most. I have learned a lot about myself this year and the most exciting thing for me is to be able to apply this to the rest of my career. "
Bryant, who turns 27 in January, has not signed a long-term contract with the Cubs, although the team made a big bid last winter. He is eligible to enter a free agency after the 2021 season.
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