Anthony Rizzo was told by veteran teammates seven years ago this day would come – along with all the emotions – if he took the deal the Cubs dangled with talk of making the rookie a cornerstone for their championship promises.
Now the three-time All-Star openly wonders whether they even want him around much longer.
Rizzo, whose efforts to start talks on an extension this winter went nowhere with the payroll-conscious Cubs, will be 32 when the Cubs exhaust the last club option on his contract and he plays his last season under club control in 2021.