A couple years ago, as the emergent Bryzzo Souvenir Company was starting to ship dingers, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo both participated in the Home Run Derby in Cincinnati. It was fun, though neither advanced too far in the contest, and it may have been a surprisingly tiring experience.

It was unsurprising, then, that both opted to skip the 2016 edition.

What about this year?

Bryant tells the Sun-Times that he’s still out: “Especially with it being [at Marlins Park]. It’s definitely not a hitter’s park. So it would be a tough Home Run Derby. I think I’d like to do it again at some point. Just this year, based on the last two years [of deep playoff runs], the body could use a little bit of rest.”

I enjoy watching Cubs players do their thing, and the Home Run Derby is always fun, but if Bryant wants to rest up for the second half, that sounds fine to me.

How about Rizzo, though?

He says he’d consider it, being that it will be in his hometown (Tribune). He’d have to be invited, of course, and we’ll see how things play out on that front. As with Bryant, I’m cool with it if Rizzo participates, and I’m cool with it if he does not.

It should be a great year either way if guys like Giancarlo Stanton, Cody Bellinger, and Aaron Judge participate.