Cubs' Epstein: This isn't the time to discuss extensions or trades

Baseball's new reality has Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein rethinking how he'll move forward with transactions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Right now, it's hard enough to predict what tomorrow or next week will look like," Epstein said, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. "It's a fool's errand, I think, to try to predict what next year would look like, or the next five years. That's just the reality of the world we're in."

He added: "We're at such a critical juncture that, as we sit here today on July 10, 2020, the currency of the game truly is health and safety. And soon we'll incorporate wins and losses as a secondary consideration and secondary form of currency."

Epstein's comments come just days after star third baseman Kris Bryant expressed hope of signing a long-term extension with the Cubs. But Bryant also voiced concern about his immediate future with the team due to the global health situation.

"I would like to think that I wouldn't be shipped out in the middle of a pandemic," Bryant said Wednesday.

In responding to Bryant's comments, Epstein acknowledged that it's difficult to discuss or even ponder personnel moves such as trades or extensions right now.

"Honestly, I appreciate Kris' comments," Epstein said. "I know he loves being here and he knows that we love having him as part of the organization."

He continued: "But, dollars and cents, to delve too deeply into that and discuss contractual situations, it gets to a point where it's just - if you talk too much about it, it becomes inappropriate given the realities of everything going on in the world and where our focus truly is right now. There will be a time to discuss those things later, but I personally don't feel comfortable talking about that right now."