What makes you think that? It's still early to give up on extending Bryant. I don't believe they can get enough back to make it worth trading him. Then again, I haven't any idea what the return on Bryant would be but I'd guess he's not a guy that nets 3 really good players. I'm not opposed to them extending Bryant; I'm just curious as to why you're so sure the Cubs and Bryant/Boras are in a position where them not extended him seems "pretty unlikely." Between how vocally they weren't happy about the Cubs keeping him in the minors, how lame the Cubs have been about spending money, and the rumored discontent by the Bryants over how the Cubs handled Russell, and that Rizzo is almost certainly gone after 2 years would have me thinking that the Cubs are going to have to work really hard to re-sign him. I'm looking at it like they'll be competing just like any other team to sign him as a FA.