Cubs' Epstein downplays Bryant trade talk

Kris Bryant's future with the Chicago Cubs doesn't appear to be in jeopardy, after all.

Hours after a report claimed Chicago is open to trading the 2016 MVP, Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein downplayed the idea.

"I answered a general question about whether we have untouchables," Epstein said, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "Like most every organization, we will listen to anything, but that's just an operating philosophy.

"We are lucky to have some impact players and we are looking to add to them, not subtract."

Bryant is coming off an injury-marred 2018 campaign during which he appeared in 102 games and managed an .834 OPS. He was slowed by a troublesome left shoulder throughout the second half but is expected to enter spring healthy after an offseason of rest.

Since arriving to the majors in 2015, Bryant has posted an OPS of .900 with 107 home runs, 132 doubles, and 326 RBIs in 559 games. He's under club control through 2021.