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Chicago Cubs could make waves by trading Kris Bryant to the Dodgers
The Chicago Cubs could address multiple problems at once by trading Kris Bryant to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers before the offseason concludes.
At some point, likely sooner rather than later, we’ll have an actual answer regarding Kris Bryant‘s service time grievance. As we noted yesterday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic made it clear that no one in the industry expects Bryant to come out on top and that news could come as soon as this week.
Assuming that is the case, the Cubs and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein can, at long last, embark on a quest to trade the former National League MVP – knowing his true value. Chicago’s asking price will be higher knowing they’re dealing two years of team control rather than one – although finding a suitor willing to meet such a price could be challenging.
One club that could (rather easily) meet such steep demands, however, is the Los Angeles Dodgers. A perennial World Series favorite, they’re ripe with some of the best prospects in the game and have a payroll that’s well under the competitive balance tax threshold.
In the same Rosenthal piece that suggests Bryant is likely to lose his grievance, he notes the fit between the player and Los Angeles, a team that may be just one piece away from bringing a title back to Chavez Ravine for the first time since 1989.
Chicago Cubs: Here’s why Bryant to Los Angeles makes sense
So before we dive into this, here’s what Rosenthal had to say about such a move:
Bryant, with his ability to play third, first and both corner-outfield positions, seems ideal for the Dodgers, who relish such versatility. His right-handed bat also would fit the team’s predominantly left-handed lineup. The Cubs’ ask, though, would not be inconsequential. Nor would the finances, with Bryant projecting to make at least $40 million over the next two years.
Let’s break it down. First, Bryant slotted in the middle of the Dodgers order? Goodness. We’re talking about a squad that already boasts reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Will Smith, Justin Turner and Corey Seager. That’s not to mention some of the team’s up-and-coming positional talent, including the likes of Alex Verdugo, Gavin Lux and Keibert Ruiz.
If the season were to begin today, Turner would hold down the hot corner for manager Dave Roberts. Suppose the Dodgers pull off a trade for Bryant. He could play third – while Turner shifts over to first. Or, Bryant could move to a corner outfield spot – something he did quite a bit for Joe Maddon.
All that being said, acquiring Bryant won’t come cheap. Here are a few guys Epstein will undoubtedly target in any talks with Los Angeles.
Chicago Cubs: Time to focus on young, controllable pieces
Who knows what the coming weeks will bring. Suppose the Cubs somehow pull off a trade for Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, sending the likes of Jason Heyward and Willson Contreras to Colorado.
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Arenado slots in at third for the Cubs (for at least the next couple years) – allowing them to send Bryant to the Dodgers focused on one thing and one thing only: adding some impact talent back into the system – one that’s been depleted in recent years as talent reached the big leagues and the team missed on a good many late-round picks.
Some names to focus on? Dustin May, the hard-throwing right-hander who made his big league debut last season for the Dodgers. While you’d love Lux, that’s never going to happen – so just move on.
Josiah Gray, MLB.com’s #75 overall prospect on its Top 100 list, would immediately become one of the highest upside arms in the Chicago organization. The 22-year-old hurler worked to a sterling 2.28 ERA across three levels of the minors in 2019 – dominating at every step along the way. Given the Cubs’ inability to develop homegrown arms in recent years, to call a talent like this appealing is a dramatic understatement.
Next. Three reasons the Cubs should pass on Arenado. dark
While the Cubs aren’t going to gamble it all on either of these prospects (I suspect there are other pieces involved in a Bryant deal) – but adding a prospect of their caliber would definitely make it easier to see him help the Dodgers take the next step toward a World Series title. Time will tell how it plays out, but this is definitely something to keep an eye on moving forward.