Chicago Cubs: Kris Bryant-caliber players don’t grow on trees

Chicago Cubs: Too many rumors to keep track of lately

We’ve seen Bryant connected to Atlanta, Texas and Philadelphia in rumors over the last month-plus, in a dizzying merry-go-round of reports. Really, the main club that makes sense as a potential trade partner would be the Braves given their plethora of young talent – but even that hypothetical isn’t a perfect fit.

And, if the latest reports are to be believed, Atlanta has checked in on another of the game’s best third baseman in Colorado’s Nolan Arenado. Obviously, the Rockies would expect a game-changing haul in return for the seven-time Gold Glover and four-time Silver Slugger recipient, but that dialogue undoubtedly has an effect on any Bryant talks.

Plenty of teams would love to add a Bryant-caliber presence to their roster. But, again, it all comes down to two sides coming to an agreement in value and it’s hard to imagine any club valuing him in the same way Theo Epstein does.

If the Cubs trade Bryant, sure, they’ll get some value back. But it’s hard to say if any of those guys will ever have the type of impact he’s had to this point in his big league career. It seems more and more like if Epstein moves on from his franchise cornerstone, it’s to save the nearly $20 million in payroll and get his team firmly under the luxury tax threshold than anything else.