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Chicago Cubs: These three teams could be ready to trade for Kris Bryant
These three teams are the perfect candidates to make a bid for Kris Bryant.
As the offseason heats up, so do the trade rumors surrounding the Chicago Cubs. The latest reports say the Cubs are listening to all offers and there are no untouchables on the roster. One player who has been linked to multiple rumors over the past few seasons is third baseman Kris Bryant.
The former Rookie of the Year and NL MVP is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility and is set to hit the free agent market following the 2021 season, joining teammates Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, and Kyle Schwarber. The Cubs have until Dec. 2 to trade Bryant before his salary for this upcoming season (~$18 mil) becomes official.
The biggest issue surrounding a possible trade of Bryant, along with the other core position players is their declining value. Since being named the NL Most Valuable Player in 2016, Bryant has seen a dip in production at the plate combined with injury plagued seasons. Aside from 2020, Bryant’s numbers weren’t exactly terrible, but they’re disappointing for what the fans and organization expect given his talents.
Kris Bryant Career Statistics:
- 2015: (151 games) .275 BA 26 HR 99 RBI .858 OPS – Rookie of the Year
- 2016: (155 games) .292 BA 39 HR 102 RBI .939 OPS – National League MVP
- 2017: (151 games) .295 BA 29 HR 73 RBI .946 OPS
- 2018: (102 games) .272 BA 13 HR 52 RBI .834 OPS
- 2019: (147 games) .282 BA 31 HR 77 RBI .903 OPS
- 2020: (34 games) .206 BA 4 HR 11 RBI .644 OPS
At 28 years old, it’s hard to believe Bryant’s best playing days are behind him, which is why there could still be teams in the league who are willing to take a chance and part ways with their future talents to make a trade. Just how much of a risk these teams are willing to take remains to be seen.
If I were Theo Epstein and the Chicago Cubs, I would rather take the gamble and keep Bryant for this upcoming season and hope he can turn it around if there isn’t a reasonable offer on the table. Worst case scenario if next season isn’t promising, they could move him at the deadline where other contenders might be more desperate for a right-handed bat. Assuming he can post better offensive numbers than he did last season (fingers crossed) his value will increase at that time.
With Bryant being a one-year rental, these teams would be the likely candidates to roll the dice in the upcoming weeks.
Cubs: Imagine the Dodgers’ lineup with Kris Bryant replacing Justin Turner
Fresh off a World Series title, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be looking to add a right-handed bat to their lineup for the 2021 season. It appears as if the Dodgers are set to part ways with 36-year-old third baseman Justin Turner who is currently a free agent. Having just won a championship, Los Angeles fits the category of taking a one-year risk and gambling on a Kris Bryant trade.
Given the uncertainty around shortstop Corey Seager, who’s set to hit the free agent market following the 2021 season, the Dodgers will need to plug up a few holes on the left side of the infield if they plan on making another World Series run in the next few years.
Regardless of his poor 2020 campaign, Bryant is still considered a star in the baseball world, and nobody loves big name talent more than the Dodgers. Considering this is the cheapest price-tag on Bryant at this point in his career, Los Angeles would have a big advantage in negotiation talks with the Cubs.
The Dodgers have young power-arms at the big-league level in Julio Urias (24), Walker Buehler (26), Dustin May (23) , and Brusdar Graterol (22). Given they would still like to compete for a championship, moving one of their prize pitchers would certainly be a risk on the part of LA. Sure it may not seem likely at first glance, but the way I see it, if the Dodgers play it safe there is no telling all of their young pitchers continue to perform at a high-level for the remainder of their careers.
The situation is similar to the one of the Cubs keeping all of their core position players after they won the World Series in 2016. As we know, their values have diminished drastically, and now the team is left scrambling as they figure out their next move. I’m not sure the Dodgers see it the same way, but if they do, I would imagine they view at least one of their young pitchers expendable, if it means acquiring the talent to fix a weak spot on their roster.
If the Dodgers choose to play it safe and go after Bryant, the Cubs would be left settling for less than what I think the slugger is worth in a trade with this team. If that’s the case, I say on to the next bidder.
Cubs: If Yankees added Kris Bryant, it would be a major upgrade
Like their west coast rivals, the New York Yankees are no strangers to blockbuster trades and taking risks on star players in the league. The past few weeks have linked the Cubs and Yankees to possible trade scenarios and Kris Bryant’s name could be added to that list as well.
For the last two seasons, the Bronx Bombers have gone with a cheap, yet reliable option at third base in Gio Urshela. The 28-year-old blossomed late in his career, but has over exceeded expectations in two seasons at the hot-corner in New York (175 games: .310 BA 27 HR 104 RBI .881 OPS).
So why would New York pass on another year of Urshela for a more expensive risk in Bryant? Postseason production. Urshela is a career .205 hitter in 21 postseason games, and while Bryant hasn’t exactly been great the past few playoff-runs for the Cubs, his championship pedigree and experience might be something the Yankees take a gamble on.
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Urshela is certainly a solid option on any roster, but it’s safe to say we know what his ceiling is at the big league level. I could be wrong and Urshela could be greater down the road, but I will still argue Bryant has more potential and could add more thunder to an already powerful lineup. Given a possible parting of ways with reigning AL Batting Champ DJ LeMahieu, the Yankees will need to plug in a few holes at the infield position.
The Cubs acquiring outfielder Clint Frazier from the Yankees in a deal with Bryant might be too good to be true given the decline in Bryant’s production. If New York is still marketing their young outfielder, they would likely demand some sort of package deal in return which the Cubs still might be able to pull off.
Two young right-handed pitchers the Yankees might be willing to give up for less of a return are Deivi Garcia and Clarke Schmidt, though neither showed dominance while getting their feet wet in the big leagues last season.
Deivi Garcia 2020 stats: (6 starts: 3-2) 4.98 ERA 34.1 IP 35 H 6 BB 33 SO
Clarke Schmidt 2020 stats: 6.1 IP 7.11 ERA 7 H 5 BB 7 SO
It’s hard to imagine the Yankees resorting to cheap options when they consider themselves a championship contender every season. If this is the case, New York could be the place Kris Bryant ends up this offseason.
Cubs: The Braves have a history of acquiring big name players on one-year deals
After reaching the NLCS for the first time since 2001, the Atlanta Braves fell just one game short of the Fall Classic. Currently projected outside of the top-15 projected 2021 payroll the Braves are in a position to bolster their roster this offseason. There have been talks in the past of Kris Bryant heading to Atlanta and those rumors could soon resurface.
The Braves recently signed pitcher Drew Smyly to a one-year, $11 mil deal and will be looking to improve their offense, specifically at the third base position. After letting Josh Donaldson walk out after his one-year deal, the Braves decided to roll with Austin Riley who was a bit of a disappointment this past season in 51 games played (.239 BA .415 OPS 8 HR 27 RBI).
Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulus has a history of acquiring big-name players on one-year deals like Donaldson, and most recently current free agent Marcell Ozuna. As a contending team on the brink of a World Series, acquiring a player like Bryant could be the move that takes them to the next level. A best case scenario for the Cubs would involve acquiring a top prospect from Atlanta in outfielder Christian Pache (21) and starting pitcher Ian Anderson (22).
Pache had a small sample size at the plate, playing just two regular season games before hitting .122 in 25 plate-appearances in the postseason. However, the young outfielder flashed his leather numerous times while playing centerfield and still has a high ceiling.
On the mound, Anderson was dominant in the playoffs, going 2-0 while posting a 0.96 ERA in 18 2/3 innings pitched. Not too shabby for any pitcher, let alone a rookie.
The Cubs trading for either of these prospects would be dream scenarios. Unlike the Dodgers and Yankees, the Braves have never been known as a team to spend big money and risk their future. If Atlanta does make a run at Bryant, they’ll look to part ways with their lower-rated prospects. Unless Epstein and his team can snuff out diamonds in the rough with those types of players I think it would be safe to pass. Given that the Cubs farm system has taken a dip in talent these past few seasons, I wouldn’t be too confident in that strategy either
The main theme surrounding all of these trade scenarios is that the Cubs aren’t in the drivers seat when it comes to negotiations. While all of these teams can afford Bryant for this season and beyond, they are in a position where the Cubs would have to settle for less due to their current circumstances of declining player value and their one-year contract situations.
Next. Aramis Ramirez becomes Hall of Fame eligible. dark
Regardless if he statistically stunk last season, I don’t see any reason to panic and trade Bryant at his lowest value along with the other position players if it means taking just about anything in return. Worst case scenario he can be moved at the deadline next season, where he has more value. Considering how terrible he was at the plate, I think it would be a good risk to assume Bryant can post a batting average higher than his body weight this time around.