Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant NOT in Chicago Cubs' Lineup Today

Fueling the trade talk that's been sizzling for some time now, two of the most notable Chicago Cubs' impending free agents were not in the starting lineup for Thursday afternoon's game at Wrigley Field vs. the Cincinnati Reds.

Listening back to David Ross, he let it slip, re Bryant and Rizzo not starting!

“They are available off the bench. They’ll get a nice round of applause, I’m sure, when they get in there – if they get in there – to pinch hit."
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) July 29, 2021

A swan song standing ovation, perhaps?

Bryant has been tied widely to the New York Mets, and the San Francisco Giants and Tampa Bay Rays more recently, among other teams. Rizzo has been tied almost exclusively to the Boston Red Sox, the team that originally drafted him in 2007.

Rizzo has spent the last 10 seasons on the North Side of Chicago, compiling 4 Gold Gloves at 1B, and 3 All-Star selections. Bryant has been a Cub for all 7 of his years in the big leagues, with four All-Star selections and a Rookie of the Year Award in 2015. Both were key contributors to the Cubs' World Series win in 2016, the franchise's first in 108 years.

Time, though, is now ticking, it would seem, on their Cubbie careers.

Spotted Anthony Rizzo's dad walking around Wrigley tonight literally thanking every employee he saw for what they've done for his family during his son's time on the team.

And then I was sad all over again.
— Staci Heaton (@StaciHeaton) July 28, 2021