Spring Training is already getting rolling, but it seems there’s still some possibility for a big deal or two. The Cubs are still talking through possible Kris Bryant trade scenarios with rival organizations, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic (subscription link).
There’s still no indication that Bryant is particularly likely to be dealt, or that talks are especially hot and heavy with any given team. But the Chicago organization is not only “still active in the trade market,” per Mooney, but is “feeling a sense of urgency to do something” to improve the roster.
Potential landing spots remain as obvious as ever on paper — and as obscure as ever in terms of firm public knowledge. Mooney says the Rockies and Cubs still haven’t “completely dismissed” sorting out a wild swap involving Nolan Arenado, but it remains awfully hard to see that coming together.
Otherwise, we can only assess reasonable fits based upon an analysis of rosters, balance sheets, and tangential reporting. The Rangers make a good bit of conceptual sense as a match. It seems fair to wonder whether the Padres could engage the Cubs after missing on Mookie Betts, with the idea of utilizing Bryant in the corner outfield. The Phillies certainly could stand to improve at third base; the Braves and Nationals also make some degree of sense.
As much as anything, the still-open situation makes for added intrigue as the Cubs prepare to launch a fascinating spring. The team is not only attempting a cultural re-boot, but still has quite a few roster and playing-time situations to sort through. And there’ll be no shortage of scrutiny after another deafeningly quiet winter on the transactional front.
WideWorldofSports
Yankees
spinach
Definitely conceivable.
letmeclearmythroat74
Yep – if you can’t grow a title just buy it , as usual for the Yankees
stratcrowder
That’s just a dumb thing to say.
AllRiseForTheJudge
lol yep, only fans of teams that haven’t been relevant since the 90’s because of cheap ownership say stupid things like that. 95% of the Yankees’ roster is homegrown or comprised of prospects that were acquired by trading proven talent.
But sure, trading for one or two guys means they “buy championships”. Last I looked, that was well within the rules of the game, unlike banging trash cans and using Apple watches….
jbs32
I mean closer to 50% but I dont disagree with you they haven’t really bought their team. But none of Britton, Chapman, Cole, Happ, Kahnle, Ottavino, Paxton, LeMahieu, Urshela, Voit, Hicks, Stanton, or Tauchman are home grown guys. Weren’t all stars or big acquisitions when they got them, but not home grown and thats half the roster.
Coal tender
Why not, bringing in a “marquee” player like Bryant will also increase paying customers to fill Yankee stadium. Isn’t that the “bottom line?”
802Ghost
I bet there’s still a lot of empty seats in camera view in 2020.
Sad to see a major game with so many seats empty on a nationally televised game.
VonPurpleHayes
That’s actually all of baseball now. This isn’t the mid to late 90s anymore. Everyone buys championships. Look at the Astros (cheating aside). It’s what the game is now. You have to spend to win. It helps having a nice homegrown core, but that’s rare.
We should be insulting the teams that don’t spend money, not the teams that do. And I hate the Yankees.
joncoley
Because no one buys their championships?
Jock2854
It’s all on TV so people don’t want to go the game and spend $20 on a beer & a Weiner, I go 2 the game but it will probably b 40 degrees on opening day
echozulu88
I’m not a Yankees fan at all but if you look at the current roster a lot of the core (Severino, Judge, Sanchez, Torres, aguilar, ursehla) weren’t “bought”. They added to that core by spending, yes, and they are able to out-bid (i.e. Cole) or take on money (Stanton). They didn’t really throw insane money at players like they use to. Even Lemahieu was a fair market deal.
arne23
Couldn’t agree more! And I hate the Yankees honestly.
hiflew
Of course when you really think about it it is still strange. Obscure stuff like banging a trash can and using a watch is against the rules, but competitive imbalance like spending up to 10 times the amount of some of your rivals on payroll simply because of your location and a better TV deal is not.
dynasty in boston
Homegrown Yankees buhahaha
vtadave
You sound smart.
MoRivera 1999
Hey, Boston bought a championship in ’18 with a record payroll of $246MM, $30MM more than the next team. And they cheated to boot!
BobSacamano
I agree, echozulu88. But, players want to play for the Yankees. DJ LeMahieu, who is a MI boy, probably wouldn’t even sign with my Tigers before NY. Unless if it was for significantly more money + a key role, why would International players sign with DET (even if they were close to contending)? I would sign with the Marlins or the Orioles if I was in their shoes, before DET.
fungie22
Agreed dumb
yanks02026
Kahnle was drafted by the Yankees
ncaachampillini
Man alive the Yankees pull that off and they might challenge the Twins single season home run record from a year ago.
davidk1979
They’re not adding more payroll
AssumeFactsNotInEvidence
What position is Kris Bryant playing for the Yankees? They definitely have the assets to make the trade but why do it?
jawinks
They’d probably put him at third and Urshela at first? Otherwise he’s better than Urshela anyway so they could just make him a bench player or throw him in the deal.
AllRiseForTheJudge
Andujar probably heads to Chicago in any potential Bryant trade, so that would open up the hot corner. The only question is who goes with him?
bencole
Do you think the Cubs would want Andujar? I can’t imagine where he’d play.
Eatdust666
Or they could put him in left field since he has some experience there, though obviously nowhere as much at third base.
hockeyjohn
Andujar can not play defense and is a serious liability at 3B. He is no more than a DH.
yanks02026
Love how people think players can’t ever get better at defense.
hockeyjohn
He has a long way to go to be considered below average and he is coming off a major arm injury. Those are both real concerns for a team trading a star player,
MoRivera 1999
The only reason I could see the Yanks jumping in on Bryant is because of the Betts/Price deal. I could almost see Steinbrenner/Cashman not wanting to be one-upped on the Cole deal. Almost.
lowtalker1
Phillies so he can go play with his child hood buddy. This is a move the Phillies ownership would make, especially after they claimed last off-season to be spending stupid money
rememberthecoop
Ok and how about this for a return – Howard, Stotts & Bohm.
Matt St.
Phillies won’t do it for the simple fact that they suck at drafting and would pretty much have nothing left if they offer that.
VonPurpleHayes
You cannot give up Howard here. I’d absolutely package Bohm, but you need to keep Howard. They need to develop some pitching.
bencole
The Cubs haven’t developed any of their own pitching. You can bet there would have to be a top tier pitching prospect coming back.
dynasty in boston
Which Howard? Moe or Shemp?
ChiSox_Fan
Curly
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck
Classicfinder
Ryan
Pax vobiscum
Not happening. They’ll run Kingery our there until Bohm is ready. Bohm May never be “ready” but it doesn’t change the fact that you have to have some low cost contributors to go along with your Harper’s and Realmuto.
Pax vobiscum
That should read “with your Harpers and Realmutos.
ForestCobraAL
Realmuto is a free agent in nine months.
VonPurpleHayes
Unless he signs an extension before then.
Bet Your Sweet Bippy
Sure, and they will also continue to finish 3rd or worse in the East.
920kodiak
Makes sense but do they have the system to get it done. Washington and Mets most likely do not, Atlanta definitely does.
stymeedone
@lowtalker
I think they meant to say “spending money stupidly.”
8
Dodgers
DakotaJoe
Why would the Yankees give up a ton of talent for a guy they may only have two years when they don’t even have room to play all the great talent they already have? What they could use is another starter.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Do the yankees have any prospects? At all ?
Bryant to Yankees
Glayber Torres
Jasson Dominguez
Plus one more to the cubs. Otherwise its not happening.
hammer_time24
That’s hilarious. Torres is better than Bryant right now, with more control. And I’m not a Yankee fan. Guess you’re stuck with Bryant then
mistry gm
lol. The Yankees have better judgement than that.
bigbadjohnny
Nothing to offer to us……next !
mistry gm
I doubt the Cubs will trade him, at least not this year. Epstein has turned this into one big, misdirected dog and pony show. Epstein should have kept Castellanos, he will have a better year than Bryant and could have helped the Cubs a lot more. Bryant is SO overrated.
diehardcubbie 2
How many guys out there have won College Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and MVP, in consecutive seasons? And he had a couple injury riddled seasons. Is he better than Arenado? Arguably not. But that does not discount his value.
krillin89
If I were them, I would wait till the deadline. However, it doesn’t hurt to get some feelers out there
mr. g
It seems like his value would e higher then. But we will never know because no one reports on any actual players that are being discussed. I don’t know how or even why this would be so tight lipped. The only downside to waiting till the deadline to trade him is if he were to get injured. If a fair package is offered up now, they have to take it.
rememberthecoop
Not only injury, but poor performance plus that much less controllable time left. I say move him now if you’re going to do it.
ABCD
Wake me up in June when we’ll know whether the Cubs really need to trade Kris.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Don’t worry cubs will be in first place in june.
Thomad
I dont think they can wait till deadline…they want under the cap by end of year…what happens if they are marginally competing…then they cant trade or add and are stuck pissing fans off one way or the other…its stand pat then add at deadline if competing or trade now and take chances during the season…they need to br all in or all out
bigdaddyt
Incoming crying cub fans and cocky white Sox hero’s
hyraxwithaflamethrower
I’m a White Sox fan, but I don’t see the need to hate on the Cubs. I think they’ve mismanaged this off-season by waiting so long for a resolution to the grievance before doing anything of note, but they have the opportunity to restock their farm for the future or make another playoff run. If they struggle this year, they could blow up the team and get tons of young talent back in trades. Their situation isn’t as dire as some people make it out to be.
ChiSox_Fan
Yes, it is.
No pitching!
mr. g
Another report of nothing. Why can’t we get some insight on what other teams are offering up? What are these scenarios the Cubs are discussing?
ChiSox_Fan
Exactly!
AllRiseForTheJudge
I didn’t realize people came to MLB Trade RUMORS to get hard facts. If the teams won’t disclose what players are being discussed, what is anyone supposed to report on?
Why would teams risk pissing off players by effectively saying “we don’t like you enough to keep you, so we’re talking about trading you but only if the other team likes you more than we do”?
That’s how you have unhappy players who demand trades when the deal falls through. Or did you not learn from the Mookie Betts saga?
mr. g
I personally don’t care about the feelings of the players. How many times have we heard, “it’s just a business?” No one seems to care about Bryant’s or Contreras’ feelings.
If teams want to keep things quiet, then more power to them. But if there is nothing to report, then report nothing. What’s so hard about that? This is not like the Betts trade. I’m not asking to hear that a trade is agreed upon just to see it fall through. This is a Rumors site. I’m looking to hear some rumors.
MoRivera 1999
If you think you know so much about how to run a rumors site, start your own. Let’s see who goes there. Seems to me MLBTR is pretty successful as it is.
mr. g
Good one Mo.
bravesfan88
Makes me think they’re negotiating with the Braves. AA loves nothing more than giving the media next to nothing during negotiations..lol
On a more serious note though, if I were a GM, I wouldn’t want my negotiations to play out in the public either. Then, if you don’t get a deal done, you run the risk of making the players involved feel some type of way, and younger players, these days, typically do not respond well to hearing their names discussed in deals.
If it were say AA and Theo negotiating, you definitely wouldn’t want to distract and/or isolate Austin Riley or Kyle Wright so close to spring training, especially when they may still play a pivotal role on your team moving forward…Both young and talented players are fighting for big roles on the Braves 2020 club, and it very well may be the production from their 3B position and #5 spot in the rotation that makes the difference between winning and losing the NL East division.
The NL East is going to be an extremely tight race this year, so for the Braves, there is nothing to gain by letting rumors leak, rocking the boat, and distracting two potential big contributors..
diehardcubbie 2
Well said…
twentyforty
Selling papers and clicks in a dead period…that’s all this is.
mr. g
Yup
MoRivera 1999
Seems to be keeping you going.
Cubguy13
Do you work for MLBTR, Mo? Or do you think you will be rewarded for defending their honor so much?
rangers13
Jung, Palumbo, Bahr, Taveras, Solak for Bryant and Almora.
gosodpoodles
And…that’s the reason you aren’t a GM. Lol
hiflew
Ok, so what’s the reason you aren’t a GM?
Coal tender
None of those “offerings” will the Cubs accept.. They will demand a Joey Gallo for starters.
terry g
hahaha
bencole
None of these guys have any real value. The Cubs won’t move unless they’re getting 2-3 top tier guys.
Kevin28786
They won’t move him, then. IMO.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
And who else? Almora is one of the best CF in baseball. He’s just never given a real chance. Because maddon benched him every other game. Hjs bat isnt great but unless he plays everyday you’ll never know how he’ll do
8ManLineupNoPitcherNoDH
One of the best CF in baseball. Thanks for the laugh.
hammer_time24
Wait. His bat isn’t great, but he is one of the best? Try again.
SalaryCapMyth
Wrek, that’s stupid. Almora had almost 500 plate appearances in 2018 and he was still pretty bad.
Also, do you really think Epstein can really say to another team that because HIS coach might have mismanaged one of HIS players that Almora should still be seen as one of the most valuable center fielders in the game?
You are coming off as a fan that simply doesnt evaluate his own players trade worth very well.
WhiteSoxWinner
The irony of the whole situation is that by the Cubs manipulating the CBA and trying to keep Bryant for a 7th year, they ultimately will only have him for 5
mike127
They didn’t manipulate the CBA–they followed it. It was the player’s union that tried to manipulate it. Have you missed the news of the past five years?
Jock2854
It’s common practice for all teams, it’s the only control they have
mr. g
… but will get more in return due to that 7th year… no real irony here.
920kodiak
That’s an interesting way to look at it, but it really may end up being true.
All American Johnsonville Dogs
Braves
1 of SP Anderson or SP Wright
SP Muller
SP Weigel
SS Shewmake.
Cubs need pitching. Braves need a 3B replacement for Donaldson.
8ManLineupNoPitcherNoDH
And what happens to Camargo and Riley
All American Johnsonville Dogs
Camargo super utility and Riley OF. or demote Riley for more seasoning.
Or go for broke and include Waters Contreras and Riley to the Cubs for Wilson Contreras too.
AA's Burner Phone
It would be useless to send Riley to AAA. he’s shown time and time again he dominates down there. Right now its either trade him or play him. Otherwise you’re just wasting him. I personally want to see him get a chance to start after an offseason of making adjustments.
8ManLineupNoPitcherNoDH
Not a solution. Ozuna is a LFer, and if you’re playing him in the OF, so is Riley.
ForestCobraAL
Ian Anderson and the Kyle’s, Wright and Mueller.
Braves have the money to sign a top-of-the-rotation pitcher. They just have to keep the money away from Greg Maffei.
” five highest paid CEOs in the U.S. Number three on the list is Gregory Maffei, CEO of Liberty Media Corp. who made $391 million in fiscal 2012″
terry g
So he was the third highest paid CEO 8 years ago is your argument?
ForestCobraAL
“$391 million”
How many years for the Braves to spend $391 million on talent?
Greg Maffei = Bloodsucker
sevans36
It is “felony fraud” as you so often have put it.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Both Anderson and Wright would go to the cubs plus a starting pitcher that can help now
Ully
Bryant for Arenado, is the the beginning of the 2020’s version of Will Clark and Rafael Palmero switching teams and replacing each other?
bigdaddyt
That’s a bad trade for the Rockies. Cubs would have to add a lot to make that go through
diehardcubbie 2
Not really. Rockies would be saving $17 million for a couple years. Arenado is better defensive 3B. Get him out of Colorado and let’s compare the bats. That being said I highly doubt that trade would happen straight up. And Cubs wouldn’t take on that extra salary without shedding a big contract.
letmeclearmythroat74
That’s a waste of time … they wash each other out … why bother
TexasLeaguer
Why would Nolan opt out of that deal? From all reports, Kris has more trade value than Arenado. Rockies would roll the dice till all star break. If they stink, they flip him. Meanwhile cubs answer one question mark. Schwarber, Baez, Rizzo, and Bryant al hit free agency after 2021.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Theyll extend at least 3.of those 4. And theyll extend Contreas in 2 years. I think Bryant will walk. He wants to be a Cubs for life ..if that’s the case they’ll get a huge return for Schwarber who will be a DH. Even though he’s a good defensive player.. way better than talking heads project him as.
TexasLeaguer
If you can’t work out a favorable Arenado swap, then he’s a cub through at least the trade deadline. I wouldn’t imagine his value improving at deadline. Would be a punt on 2020.
bravesfan
I doubt the Braves will do it ( both because of budget and prospect capital) but I’m cool trading for him. We have plenty of pitching prospects which just makes a lot of sense for the cubs. At least 2 of them plus a hitter should get the deal done. Or maybe one of our better hitting prospects 1 good pitching prospect, wrap it up with some others in the deal. Idk. Waters is the kind of guy the cubs would love… he fits their profile. I’d trade him plus some for two years of KB all day .
TexasLeaguer
Definitely the best match. Bryant for Anderson, Riley, and Wilson??
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Not Riley.
Anderson
Wright
Wilson
1 hitter carmago possibly
For Bryant. If not replace one of the pitchers with Max Fried
Kevin28786
Why would you send Fried out now? Makes no sense at all.
caseybaer39
Mets
Syndergard and gsellman for Bryant and Almora or happ
TexasLeaguer
Cubs would need a bat back. Dumping Bryant without adding a stud hitter tanks their season.
ForestCobraAL
“Cubs … tanks their season.”
It’s that time again.
AllRiseForTheJudge
The Mets are not trading Syndergaard. I don’t understand why people keep making these preposterous trade proposals when the Mets are clearly trying to contend for a Wild Card this year.
Trading Thor puts them in 4th place behind the Braves, Nats and Phillies. Keeping him gives them a shot to challenge two of those teams for second place with the additions they’ve made and the turnover in the dugout.
TexasLeaguer
And your Yankees have no shot at Bryant. Cubs can’t add Andujar or Frazier. Andujar will be the Yankees First baseman in 2021 because they have to put their catcher at DH. Hitting is a match, but positional fit doesn’t add up for cubs.
VonPurpleHayes
I agree with you, but I also think Thor is one of the most overvalued pitchers in baseball. Last year, Wheeler was better than him. Thor is a good pitcher, but he gets talked about like he’s a great one.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
No thank you on gsellman. Syndergaard , and 3 highly touted prospects. in the mets top 10
VonPurpleHayes
You are overvaluing Bryant for sure,
jakec77
It’s not a crazy offer strictly in terms of value, but it would make no sense for the Mets right now. Bryant displaces McNeil at 3b, at most a small upgrade, while Wacha replaces Synderggard, which is a big step down.
FishyHalo
Rangers mayyybbe?
Senioreditor
If the Padres want him, they have the prospects to get him but he’ll end up in the OF.
Fire Jon Daniels
Come on Jon! I’ll go easy on you for a month if you pull this off and don’t overpay like you always do!
B-Minus21
Lol @ “like you always do”… What about this offseason is an overpay? What about the Mike Minor & Lance Lynn deals is an overpay? What about this laughable package we sent to the Indians for COREY KLUBER was an overpay? Yeah, there are some bad deals on the roster, but most teams have them….
B-Minus21
I will argue further, the Elvis deal was not a bad deal. If he doesn’t break his arm by getting hit by a pitch a couple year back, he probably continues his upward trajectory. The extension to Odor looks really bad in hindsight, but I’d much rather “miss” on a 6-year extension at roughly $8mm per year, than miss on a 7 year $245 deal. Early extensions are risky, but carry immense upside. Rendon’s contract is not free of risk. Remember when JD didn’t overpay to resign CJ Wilson or Josh Hamilton?!? Did you praise him for that, or just wait for something else to complain about?
HALfromVA
What he said
Judge_Smails45
I feel like Marlins will unload
Flynnj1981
Blue Jays
AllRiseForTheJudge
Arenado is a better fit for them IMIO. The dome should help his numbers stay pretty much the same as they are in Coors.
rememberthecoop
Fourth place as it stands right now.
dray16
have you looked at the brewers starting rotation?
laswagn
Trade him to the Dodgers for Pederson, Strip, and a couple Top 100 prospects.
AllRiseForTheJudge
Not even close to enough unless those prospects are May and Gonsolin. Why would the Cubs want another Kyle Schwarber, especially when this version of Schwarber is a FA in November?
Replace Pederson with Seager and you’re onto something. He could slot in at 3B to fill Bryant’s spot.
hurricanewar23
I need rangers to make a deal for Bryant
rondon
They don’t have what the Cubs need most- pitching
terry g
I would point out that Boston traded Betts and Price and badly needed pitching and didn’t get any. Sometimes you trade for need and sometimes you trade for talent. Most teas need pitching, few have excess pitching to trade.
rondon
They were desperate to shed Price’s contract. While the Cubs would get some financial relief by trading him, Bryants too good to trade for unproven young position players. I seriously doubt Theo trades him without pitching coming back.
AllRiseForTheJudge
As a Yankees fan, I don’t know if I’d want to pay the price for Bryant. He’d pretty much guarantee a World Series, but at what cost? I like Andujar but I think he’s destined to be a DH if his defense doesn’t improve dramatically over the next two years, so trading him before other teams figure that out wouldn’t be the worst idea ever.
But what else would need to go to Chicago? Deivi Garcia is almost a given, and it would definitely take more than those two. That’s a big price to pay for a guy who hits FA after next season.
Hammmbone
There is no such thing as a “guaranteed World Series”. How’d winning 103 games last year work out for you????
AllRiseForTheJudge
The same way cheating worked out for the Astros. Adding Bryant and Cole in the same offseason makes the Yankees better than every other team in baseball, period.
Who would be able to beat them? Houston? Good luck when they can’t bang trash cans. Boston? They’re not even competing? Minnesota? They haven’t been able to beat the Yankees in the playoffs in a decade. Washington without Rendon? LA with not one but two pitchers who vanish in October?
Obviously, everything has to go to right, but with that rotation and what Bryant would bring to the lineup on both sides of the ball, there isn’t a team in the league that could beat the Yankees in October unless all 26 guys completely disappear.
hockeyjohn
If the other teams haven’t figured out that Andujar is a DH, they deserve to lose.
MoRivera 1999
Not sure you can count Andujar out at third just yet. I’ve read he’s been working on it hard and improving. Heck, Devers went from -7 to +7 over last winter. I don’t know if Andujar is up for a significant improvement or not. We’ll see.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Yankees have no one ready within 2 years that would help the cubs.
Rayland#1
Doubt that Epstein has the nerve.
VonPurpleHayes
This is a trade that could make or break Phillies GM Matt Klentak. He absolutely cannot give up Spencer Howard or Scott Kingerey for Bryant. It’s better to walk away in that case. If you want to package Bohm, I’d be okay with it, but in some ways just walking away may be the best route.
Psychguy
It would be great should a trade happen that it occur without so much drama.
dvmin98
Morejon, Potts, Mejia, Trammell, Weathers and Draft pick for Bryant and Contreras
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
That’s a joke right? Why would the cubs trade the best catcher in baseball next to molina? That’s just dumb ..
Maybe a prospect with high upside with Bryant for those players.
rondon
As much as payroll is an issue, it’s the lack of quality pitching depth in their system that put them in this position. If they trade Bryant, it’ll be because that’s what they’re in dire need of.
ffjsisk
I still think he ends up with the Nats or stays in Chicago. I’d like the Braves to get in but I don’t see a great match. They’d have to take back Inciarte and probably Green to make the money work. Chicago doesn’t need or value those guys as much as ATL and I doubt the Braves just dump either guy.
Armaments216
Nats have nothing to offer but low level prospects. Only works if the Cubs are ready to start selling off pieces. Seems more likely as a midseason move.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
The Nats have no one worth trading for. They have one player and he wont be half the player Bryant is. Kieboom is the only one worth it but theyll need to add at least 3 others or 2 and 1 draft pick.
CubsFan73
AA would be dumb to not push for Bryant.
Braves are in a win now mode, and theres a reason why Prospects are Prospects.
Offer Waters, Riley, Anderson and Inciarte for Bryant and either Quintana or Hendricks.
JayeT
Replace Wright for Anderson, and I might be willing to listen.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Nah its gotta be both Wright and Anderson and Waters for Bryant
Hendricks isnt going anywhere. Add one more player and you can have Quintana. It’s his walk year anyway.
Honestly if they traded Quintana and a prospect for Anderson or Wright it would be 10mil salary dumb. And they’d be 10mil under.
They honestly don’t need to trade anyone. The Ricketts are too cheap to pay a 6 million dollar penalty fee. Instead they want to not win any more and trade players when they dont need too.
Cant wait for the yankees losing Judge and Torres becuase they will be over the threshold if they extend either one. Both will want 200× million. and only torres will be worth it in the long run. Judge will be a DH in 3 years with some other team.
Kevin28786
The Cubs fill the seats with losing teams. Why should they bother with winning, anyway?
ffjsisk
I’d do that deal in a heartbeat if I were the Braves. Especially if it’s for Hendricks too.
Hammmbone
Per Mooney, but is “feeling a sense of urgency to do something” to improve the roster. How is getting rid of your best player improving the roster????? I just don’t get it!!
920kodiak
Aside from gutting an already weak farm, would Kieboom, Garcia, and Rutledge get it done? Too much, too little, just right?
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Way too little.
number1dodger
It’s not real encouraging to know the Cubs are trying to get rid of you. Too bad baseball players could not go send resumes out themselves to other teams. Like you can in the real world. Apparently no team is interested in him right now. That Hass to be a horrible feeling.
jimmy bussit
Texas! Bring him here to play with ex childhood teammate Gallo!
Mojavewanderer
Dodgers. Imagine an outfield of Betts, Bellinger, and Bryant! The new killer Bs!
Vickers
Is it absurd to think the Dodgers could trade Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling for Kris Bryant. Include whatever prospects and cash to balance the deal, but seems like a starting point.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Ross Stripling, Joc Pederson,Dustin May and Gsvin Lux and draft pick for Bryant. Pederson flipped for More pitching.
I know thats ridiculous but those two would never get Bryant.
Iago407
Take out the draft pick, and that’s the best, most logical offer I’ve seen so far. Lux and May are two elite prospects that any team trading a young former MVP in the middle of his prime with two years left on his deal would expect. Stripling is obviously part of the pitching the Cubs desperately need (along with May) and Pederson helps balance the money out for the Dodgers while opening a spot in the outfield for Bryant.
From the Cubs end, Pederson can either be a platoon guy or he can be flipped to another team to save money. As a White Sox fan, I wouldn’t mind seeing Pederson moved to the south side for a prospect. Zack Collins seems rather blocked at catcher and 1st base, so maybe he’d make some sense, especially if the Cubs decide to trade Contreras?
RockLowDown
Any room on the Dodgers ?
paindonthurt
I see a more likely deal of adding T. Walker as a potential 5th starter and trading Quintana.
Cubfan Mike
Bryant not even top 10 3rd baseman in the mlb. Hard to get a lot in trade when half the league has as good or better than we have. Play him 2 more years,, get the big season from his walk year than let him walk.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
I know thats ridiculous but those two would never get Bryant. Yes he is. Just because the talking heads say he’s not doesnt mean he isnt top 10 or even top 5.
angt222
Cubs could build the groundwork for a trade now and make it happen at the July deadline.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Theyll only trade him at the deadline if they’re not contending which they will be. A trade shouldn’t happen. They need to talk extension not trade
Cubbie75
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Rayland#1
Exactly!
Rayland#1
The same refrain the past 2 off-seasons. 1. “We’re very disappointed in how the season ended”. 2. “Big changes might be needed to our Major League roster:. 3. Luxury Tax concerns. 4. Minor changes to roster. 5. Talk, talk, talk.
cubbies24
The best deal for both sides is the Cubs and Braves. The Braves are a very good team and I think they have a legit shot at a WS but I don’t think they are better then the Dodgers. Bryant closes that gap a bit. To me trading Waters, Riley, and 1 of Anderson, Wright, or Muller for Bryant is a good move for the Braves. They can’t pitch all of these pitchers and they have a chance to add a significant piece. But with that being said I don’t think a trade with them happens. I think the only way Bryant gets moved before the start of the season is if the Phillies step up
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
What would the Cubs do with Riley make him a bench player. They already have better options than him at 3rd if they trade Bryant.
Anderson,Wright, Waters or another pitcher for Bryant. The only way the Braves get KB is both Anderson and Wrigjt are part of the deal
cubbies24
Riley is still a young guy who had success in the minors. He is definitely worth being part of the deal. Plus I don’t see any scenario where Atlanta parts with multiple pitchers. Maybe Riley develops into a legit 3b and maybe he is Olt hard to say, but I still wouldn’t mind him being part of a deal
peterdipersio06
Yankees ? What for ? Oh I forgot that they Yankees like to pay players past their prime
Cubfan Mike
Remember when the Nationals let Harper walk? It freed up 35 million dollars for the Nationals to spend. And all that did was let them win the World Series.
Eatdust666
Yep, I do remember that and even though Harper was very good for them, it is highly unlikely that they would be able to keep both Harper and Soto for the long run, the latter of which is a free agent after 2025 and I think it’s pretty obvious who’s better to have for the long run.
Tim Newport
Would the Cubs trade Bryant for Josh Hader straight up? Would the Brewers make that trade?
cuquito0722
Rays trade Nate Lowe, Brujan, and KK for Bryant.
bigbadjohnny
Rays do not trade for top MLB players…….they trade for top future prospects.
cuquito0722
Is that why they traded a top LHP Libertore for Jose Martinez and Arozarina. Traded a talented 2 way player Cronenworth and Pham for Renfroe and Xavier Eswards. I don’t agree that they have an issue moving minor leaguers. Plus they only real prospect in the deal is Brujan. The Rays have a plethora of middle infielders and could move one for right player.
antsmith7
Gotta be one of the NL East teams. Particularly Braves and Phillies.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Phillies don’t have anyone. Their farm is worse than the cubs.
CubsWin2020
Hey, the cubs could turn it around? KB is past the injuries & I’m sure his marriage was a distraction too? If your not going to get a treasure trove in return…. 3 to 4 too prospects then forget it! If KB bounces back, but at the trade deadline the cubs appear to be headed closer to 500, then you will see those fringe teams open up the purse.
cubbies24
I hope the Cubs are still in it when the trade deadline comes around and they keep him. I would like to see them be able to work out an extension for him but with Boras as his agent he will hit free agency. But if they are not contending at the break and some of these interested teams are still battling to get in the playoffs it could really work out in the Cubs favor
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
The Cubs will very much contend. They lost aging arms and castellanos. They didnt lose that much. They signed a lot of minor league deals that could work in their favor. I don’t see why everyone assumes anything. They weren’t even suppose to win as early as they did. I guarantee no one expected them to go to the NLCS in 2015. No one expected the mets to be there. And especially no one expected Daniel Murphy to hit a home run in 6 straight playoff games.
Suddenly they miss the playoffs once in 5 years and they’re gonna finish in 4th. That’s ridiculous. They still have all their core players. Theres no reason at all to assume anything.
mattg3
The Yankees have always wanted Schwarber. They wont be making any deals with the Cubs prior to the start of the season, maybe at the trade deadline though…..
MoRivera 1999
I have n0 idea where the Yankees would play Schwarber.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Left Field. He’d better than any option they throw out there now. But to get Schwarber would mean they need to trade a lot back since they have little to no farm. It would be a bigger haul than Bryant.
MoRivera 1999
“It would be a bigger haul than Bryant.”
Then they would and should never do a deal.
bigbadjohnny
Reading these comments make laugh…..
I enjoy the Cubs haters knowing the Cubs are still the biggest threat in NL Central……
Yankees have NOTHING to offer to us…….G. Torres cannot field…..he is like a young Alfonso Soriano…..
Pitching, Pitching and more Pitching is what Theo wants for Bryant……….
Only Trout & Bettis has a higher WAR for the last five years besides Bryant…….
Bryant will be in the final top five MVP this year…….top two in 2021……..
if you don’t have pitching to give, Theo is not listening……..
Dark Horse who can get Bryant……the Twins.
DarkSide830
the same Alfonso Soriano who may have been the only clean player to go 40-40?
bigbadjohnny
and will not be on any future HOF ballot……..YES.
MoRivera 1999
Yankees aren’t trading Torres anyway. He had a higher WAR than Bryant last year and he fields better than Bryant.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Theyll lost him to free agency
msqboxer
Scenario…The Rays find themselves leading the wild card race at the trade deadline, because they aren’t surpassing the Yankees. Trying to drum up value without long term commitments they trade for Bryant giving up prospects blocked by the MLB roster or someone named Wander Franco. The following Brujan, McClanahan, Linares and Pie addresses future 2B and LH starting pitching and two high ceiling prospects that are 2022-2023. The of course the sell off will continue with Lester, Quintana etc.
cuquito0722
I dont know if the Rays give up McClanahan. Maybe a Nate Lowe to take over for Rizzo if they want to save $$ in a year or two.
DarkSide830
Randy Rosario has great hair
No one likes tomatos
if I were the nationals gm I would trade victor Robles and may be Michael Taylor for Kris and then I would call up the Dodgers and Offer Luis Garcia for Joc Pederson
bigbadjohnny
Pitching……Cubs need Pitching……but Robles is a good start….but it will not happen.
bigbadjohnny
Dodgers, Braves, Mets, Twins, Phillies, Nationals are all in on Bryant……when July comes around.
DarkSide830
hard pass on Bryant as a Phillie fan. as good as he is, he’s a rental, and Bohm may become just as good in due time. and, of course, it wolnt be 1-1
twentyforty
Bohm will never win an MVP or World Series…so there that.
Rangers29
Oh yeah, Bohm can’t be on a WS winning team… bad take.
bigbadjohnny
Time for Pete Rose to be in the HOF…..Yes or No.
Aoe3
Off topic why post it! He betted on his team to win and that’s a very slippery slope. As tough as it is the mlb/hof ban must be upheld so future players dont be tempted.
Les Chesterfield
“All 30 of the braves top prospects” the delusional cub fan
Les Chesterfield
Thanks for the comic relief cubs fans ! Can’t wait to read y’alls comments once the trade goes down ! I might even enjoy that more than the reds dominating y’all again like they did last year
Theghostoftycobb
Deivi, frazier, florial, Gardner (salary dump), andujar
For Bryant.
D.j
Judge
Bryant
Sanchez
Stanton
Torres
Voit
Urshela
Tauchman
That team if healthy Would win 110 games and beat the Dodgers in the WS in 5. Make it happen Ca$hman.
cuquito0722
Even more the reason for the Rays to jump out in front of this and bite the bullet.
zainzain11
I don’t know who the Rays will give that the Cubs want.
Franco is untouchable.
Mckay had a 5.14 ERA – that doesn’t help
Brujan – Cubs don’t need a 2b/SS, they have Baez and Hoerner (and Bote/Happ if needed)
Honeywell – had Tommy John surgery recently, high risk
Edwards – another 2b/SS (read above)
Baz – 94th ranked prospect
I just don’t see a match with Cubs.
I only see Braves and Padres that match what Cubs want (young pitching studs). And Braves need a 3b and Padres need a bat and can put him in OF
cuquito0722
If top pitching prospects is what the Cubs want then why not the Rays? They have multiple in their top 20. You can’t only focused on top 100 from baseball America prospects.
zainzain11
“Their” top 20 doesn’t mean much, Every team has ‘their’ top 20.
Only top pitcher that Rays can dangle is McKay but he had a rough MLB debut with 5+ era in almost 50 innings.
I just don’t see the Cubs interested. Cubs will try to get top pitchers from Braves or Padres, they have alot of high level prospects.
cuquito0722
Both of those teams have the same amount of pitching prospects in the top 100. 2, the same amount the Rays have. You be crazy to think that SD will sent Gore over for a 1 year rental.
Theghostoftycobb
The Ray’s would be a scary team with Bryant.
I would get into a bidding war to prevent that from becoming a reality.
Rangers29
Trade Scenario: Cubs / Rangers
Cubs get: Palumbo, Hearns, Wendzel, and Jose Trevino.
Rangers get: Kris Bryant
zainzain11
Palumbo, Hearns, Wendzel are not even in the top 100 prospect list.
Jose Trevino hit .258
Errr, that’s a big no. Cubs will never trade unless they get top tier prospect.
Cubs wouldn’t even trade for Josh Jung(55), Sam Huff (73rd), and Crouse (78). They need atleast 1 in the top 50 pitching prospect.
Kevin28786
Every fan overvalues his team’s players, but Cubbies fans have no equal in that department.
zainzain11
My Trade:
Trade Option 1
Atlanta Braves get:
1) Kris Bryant
2) Jose Quintana
Chicago Cubs get:
1) Drew Waters
2) Ian Anderson
3) Kyle Wright
I have another more aggressive scenario which is a long shot but…..
Trade Option 2:
Atlanta Braves get:
1) Kris Bryant
2) Jon Lester
3) Jose Quintana
4) Albert Almora
Chicago Cubs get:
1) Christian Pache
2) Drew Waters
3) Ian Anderson
4) Kyle Wright
I doubt Atlanta would want to lose so many prospects but if they want to win now they’ll have a very solid team.
Trade Option 3: (it’s not happening, but I would like to see)
Atlanta Braves get:
1) Kris Bryant
2) Jon Lester
3) Jose Quintana
4) Jason Heyward
Chicago Cubs get:
1) Drew Waters
2) Ian Anderson
3) Kyle Wright
4) Austin Riley
Same as trade package 1, but Cubs get rid of Heyward. Atlanta’s payroll will increase which they won’t do but they have a strong win-now team.
Let me know your thoughts. I’m a wannabe imaginary online GM ,,,hehe
Kevin28786
Better stick to imaginary, then. Heyward has NO value at all, and you’re giving away your 2 top pitching prospects? LMAO. Drugs are bad.
zainzain11
They whole idea is to compensate for Heyward the Cubs are giving away 3 starters. Bryant, Quintana, and Lester. Bryant alone should get 2-3 prospects anyways. Atlanta will have a solid starting line up with Lester and Quintana added ….and a MVP bat.
Kevin28786
Lester and Quintana are 1-year rentals going downhill fast on the backside of their careers and they’re both overpaid. Don’t even get me started on Heyward, who would be bouncing around on $3-$4 millon dollar deals if the Cubs hadn’t been dumb enough to give him that huge deal.
Bryant is a good hitter, but he has a bad back and he’s not a very good fielder. Inciarte (or Camargo), Wilson, and a lower level prospect is all I’d wanna give up for him, and that still leaves the Braves playing Acuna out of position in CF.
Kevin28786
And in a couple of years, the Braves ain’t got sheet. An empty farm system, no pitching, and a 3rd basemen exiting via free agency on a massive overpay by some “win now” team.
zainzain11
So not even???
Trade Option 1
Atlanta Braves get:
1) Kris Bryant
2) Jose Quintana
Chicago Cubs get:
1) Drew Waters
2) Ian Anderson
3) Kyle Wright
Kevin28786
Seriously, dude? WTF would the Braves want with Quintana? Geezus. You can’t possibly be serious.
zainzain11
So tell me this, what can Kris Bryant alone can get? You are telling me he can’t even get 2 from of Drew Waters, Ian Anderson, and Kyle Wright?
8ManLineupNoPitcherNoDH
Horrible. Stop please.
Rangers29
Go look at my scenario if you want a good trade a few comments up.
Moneyballer
He mean’s bad trade. Rangers29 is completely delusional.
Dorothy_Mantooth
How is Bryant’s OF defense? He is passable at 3rd base but that’s about it. I’m not sure the market for Bryant at 3rd is as big as most people on this site thinks it is. It might even make sense for a team to acquire Bryant as a 1st baseman. Most former 3rd base players easily transition over to first. It feels like he will be staying with the Cubs unless they can do the Arenado swap. Just not sure why Colorado would want to do that. They save a few bucks but lose a gold glover at 3rd who most likely outperforms Bryant offensively as well.
MoRivera 1999
Yup to all of that.
wordonthestreet
The Cubs and Rockies are not swapping Bryant and Arenado.
As for the rest Bryant can not only play 3b he plays well at first base and left field and right field.
TheMikeAG
Riley and Newcomb, that is all.
zainzain11
Ha! No thanks. Whatever you are smoking please let me know.
Riley hit .226
I got a better idea. Atlanta can keep all their prospects, they still don’t have enough to win World Series. They need another stud of a bat, and they lost Donaldson. Basically, their offense will be worse than last year on paper.
Kevin28786
Riley is also 22 years old. He has a history of making adjustments at each level. We shall see if he’s able to do that this year. It would actually be foolish not to find out. I don’t think the Braves will be a player for Bryant. Ozuna was their last move. IMO
zainzain11
I don’t understand how Ozuna is the answer, he hit .241 last year.
You need more bats to go against the Dodgers, Yankees, Twins, Houston, heck even white sox had a better offense than Braves last year and White Sox are going to be much better this year.
We’ll see what happens.
Kevin28786
I don’t think the Braves view Ozuna as “the answer” necessarily, but his peripherals greatly exceeded his numbers, so he probably hit in some bad luck last year. He’s another year removed from the shoulder surgery which was done in December of 2018 (IIRC), and he signed a 1-year deal, so he shouldn’t lack motivation. I think it’s prudent to see what kids like Riley, Wright, and Anderson have before taking on a big money contract. Stars were all prospects at one time, after all. IF they need to add at the deadline, I think they can and they will. I like the way AA is doing business.
wordonthestreet
Why would the Cubs take just Rikey and Newcomb? Hahahaha
Kevin28786
I’d do that but I wouldn’t like it.
Moneyballer
Pretty clear Braves fans have latched on to the trade for Kris Bryant thing. Too bad the Braves would never pony up what would be needed to acquire him. Let’s not forget, this is the same Braves team that wouldn’t pay Josh Donaldson – what makes you think they would spend on Kris Bryant in both prospects and big $$. Braves fans need to move on.
Kevin28786
This Braves fan hasn’t latched onto the idea of Kris Bryant at all. I guess we should have given Donaldson a contract like the Cubs gave Heyward, so we could be in a position to get rid of our best hitter in a couple of years. Silly Braves.
ironcity341
Phillies
cuquito0722
Suck???