In fairness, the Brewers were in a much better spot to negotiate with and get Yelich to agree to an extension. He was controlled the next 3 years at like $45 mil because he signed an extension early with the Marlins. He wasn’t going to be a FA until age 31/32. He had incentive to cash in now on an extension since free agency was further away, at an older age for him than it was for Bryant. Like Bryant is gonna make about as much the next two years as Yelich would these next 3 and he’d get to FA sooner and younger. Frustrating nonetheless, but there were different motivations and factors at work here. i'm strictly talking about their willingness to give out a mega contract to their star. i know kb has risks/issues, but i believe the cubs would be looking to trade him even if he didn't have his mini-decline and injury concerns.