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Chicago Cubs Rumors: Would you do this Kris Bryant deal to the Dodgers?
Chicago Cubs Rumors: Kris Bryant has been involved in a lot of trade rumors this offseason. Should the Cubs trade him to the Los Angeles Dodgers for these prospects?
There’s a strong chance that this is not the first Chicago Cubs Kris Bryant trade rumor article you’ve read this offseason so far. In fact, you’ve probably read quite a few of them. So, if you’re tired of reading about it, then this article isn’t for you.
However, if the Chicago Cubs are going to trade their star third baseman this offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers would make a lot of sense as a trade partner. They’re looking to upgrade their infield, and current third baseman Justin Turner has said that he’d be willing to change positions if it meant bringing in another third baseman. The Dodgers also have a lot of solid prospects and can take on payroll.
The Dodgers have been hesitant to trade top prospects in the past, but they face a new reality this offseason. They have won the National League West division for seven straight years but have yet to win a championship, and the pressure is on more than ever after a first-round playoff exit to the eventual champion Washington Nationals in 2019. Perhaps they’d be willing to make a bold move to try to win now – or, dare I say, maybe they would be desperate enough to make a bold move.
If so, would they be willing to move two of their top young players to acquire Kris Bryant? Specifically, would they be willing to part with Gavin Lux and Alex Verdugo? Let’s look a little deeper at this possible two-for-one trade.
Chicago Cubs Rumors: Why the trade could make sense
With all the articles out there about Kris Bryant this offseason, you’ve probably already made up your mind whether the Chicago Cubs should trade him. It’s far from a guarantee that he will be traded, but if he is, would Gavin Lux and Alex Verdugo be a good return?
We’ll start with Lux. The left-handed-hitting shortstop and second baseman is considered to be the Dodgers’ top prospect and one of the top prospects in all of baseball. Between AA and AAA in 2019, he put up a ridiculous .347/.421/.607 AVG/OBP/SLG line. The soon-to-be 22-year-old got a small taste of the majors with the Dodgers, batting .240 with two home runs in 23 games. He appears to be ready to contribute at the major league level in 2020.
Then there’s Verdugo, who was the Dodgers’ top prospect in 2018. The 23-year-old earned a little major league time in both 2017 and 2018 before sticking in 2019. This past year with the big league club, he posted a 3.1 WAR in just 106 games. He batted .294 with 12 home runs while seeing time at all three outfield spots. His defensive WAR was a solid 1.2.
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From a lineup standpoint, this trade would make sense because the Cubs need both a second baseman and an outfielder. Lux could slot into second base in 2020, as could Verdugo in center field. Of course, there would then be a hole at third base. The Cubs could try to then bring in Anthony Rendon, Josh Donaldson, or Mike Moustakas, but it’s not likely the team will want to make the necessary financial commitment to bring in one of those free agents.
Then again, the Cubs would be saving approximately $18.5 million by unloading the arbitration-eligible Bryant, so maybe they would want to go out and make a free agent splash at that point. If not, perhaps Ian Happ would be an internal option, or they could trade for someone like Miguel Andujar of the New York Yankees.
Chicago Cubs Rumors: Why would the Dodgers do it?
If Lux and Verdugo are so great, why should the Dodgers give them up for Bryant, especially when Bryant would mean such a significant increase in payroll? Well, for the Dodgers, a payroll increase may not be as big of a concern as it is for the Cubs. Besides that, if they’re desperate enough to win in 2020, they may decide it’s worth gambling part of their future for an established, well above average offensive player.
If the Dodgers were to make this trade, it would be with their sights set on 2020 and nothing else. If Turner is serious about being willing to make a position change, perhaps he could slide over to second base, where he does have a little bit of major league experience, and allow Bryant to play third.
As for Verdugo, the Dodgers already have three established major league outfielders in Joc Pederson, A.J. Pollock, and MVP Cody Bellinger. Or, maybe the Dodgers could play Bryant in the outfield some, since Pederson is basically only valuable against right-handers, and play Kike Hernandez at second base. The Dodgers could also go out and acquire another second baseman.
The Dodgers would likely be interested in Bryant if they miss out on the big free agent names such as Rendon or Donaldson. Even so, Bryant is younger and would not be as big of a financial commitment as those two are certain to be, so they may decide it’s worth the cost of some prospects, Lux and Verdugo or otherwise.
Next. Cubs, cancer x2 and the little things. dark
So, for all you Cubs fans out there, would you trade Kris Bryant for Gavin Lux and Alex Verdugo? Is that too little of a return? Just about right? Or, going beyond that, would the Cubs be robbing the Dodgers in such a trade?