The Cubs and Padres discussed various scenarios involving third baseman Kris Bryant but were (obviously) unable to come to an agreement, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune reports. Specifically, the Cubs showed interest in right-hander Dinelson Lamet. Catching prospect Luis Campusano was also a potential target.
It’s hardly a shock to see the pitching-needy Cubs pursuing a controllable big league arm like Lamet. The 27-year-old returned from Tommy John surgery in 2019 and gave the Padres 73 innings (14 starts) of 4.07 ERA ball with a massive 13.0 K/9 against 3.7 BB/9 and 1.48 HR/9. Lamet averaged 96.1 mph on his heater and posted a gaudy 14 percent swinging-strike rate in addition to high-end spin rates on his heater and breaking ball.
Beyond Lamet’s ability to miss bats, he’s controlled for four seasons, which surely holds appeal considering the Cubs could see both Jon Lester and Jose Quintana hit free agency next winter. His fit on the 2020 club would be clear as well; currently, the Cubs’ hope is that Tyler Chatwood can hold down the fifth starter’s role — a task that he hasn’t been up to in either of the first two seasons of his ill-fated three-year, $38MM deal. Installing Lamet as a fifth option behind Lester, Quintana, Yu Darvish and Kyle Hendricks would’ve been considered an upgrade.
Lamet, though, is also viewed as a key part of the Padres’ 2020 plans. He’s expected to hold down a rotation spot alongside Chris Paddack, Garrett Richards, Zach Davies and Joey Lucchesi. The back of the Padres’ rotation will be a bit in flux as their wave of high-end prospects — headlined by MacKenzie Gore and Luis Patino — continue to push toward the big leagues. Lamet, though, has perhaps the highest upside of anyone other than Paddack in that initial quintet.
The 21-year-old Campusano, meanwhile, has significantly elevated his status over the past year. A second-round pick back in 2017, Campusano hit .325/.396/.509 in 487 plate appearances against against much older competition in Class-A Advanced in 2019. He’s now widely considered to be among the game’s 100 best prospects — ranking as high as No. 33 overall in the estimation of ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel.
While Bryant wouldn’t exactly be a clean fit into the Padres’ lineup in terms of position, his bat would represent a major upgrade to a Padres team that collectively batted .238/.308/.410 — good for just an 88 wRC+ that ranked 24th among Major League clubs. But with Manny Machado entrenched at third base and Fernando Tatis Jr. slotted in at shortstop — Machado’s other position — fitting Bryant into the mix would be a bit tougher.
Bryant does have experience in the outfield corners, but the Padres aren’t really short on options there, either (Tommy Pham, Wil Myers, Trent Grisham, Franchy Cordero). Bryant would clearly be the best hitter of the bunch, but San Diego acquired both Pham and Grisham this winter, and Myers’ contract ensures that he’ll be a part of the mix in some capacity. Acee does note that while the Padres were willing to consider moving Tatis to center field in the event of a Francisco Lindor acquisition, that scenario wasn’t a consideration when contemplating a Bryant swap.
At this point, the chances of any deal involving Bryant look to be minimal. The former Rookie of the Year and MVP has already had a sit-down with Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein — a meeting from which he came away with the impression that he’ll be remaining in Chicago. Their asking price could be informative in the event that Bryant once again hits the market, however, and it also speaks to the manner in which the Friars value both Lamet and Campusano.
keysox
Bryant going no we’re.
AngelDiceClay
Bryant going no we are?
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
We are no! Bryant going.
dkcsmc1991
He must be over air
skip tracey
yonder summers
iamhector24
Going no we are Bryant is. – Grandmaster Yoda
All American Johnsonville Dogs
No we are Bryant going
richdanna
We’re no going Bryant
echozulu88
Bryant going? No? We are?
vanswanson
I love all of you
CubsRebsSaints
As do I
chiraqi_savage
Southside dialect
See: Illiterate
VegasSDfan
Donald? Is that you
Manfredsajoke
Nope it’s Bernie.
bronyaur
That deal would have been all about salary, not vakue for value. Thankfully that trade did not happen. Sheesh.
chitown311
-Phone rings-
“Hello?”
“Hey Preller it’s for you-it’s Theo Epstein”
Preller-“Ask him what he wants”
“What do you want Theo?”
-“He said Bryant for Lamet”
Preller-“Tell him nah we’re good”
“No thanks Theo”
-Theo 1 week later……
“We never intended to trade Kris Bryant and we’re happy to have him on our team. Oh and we’re going to bat him lead-off”
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
quonset point
Think before you type.
ortsacnilrats
Are you serious you honestly wouldn’t take Bryant for Lamet?
All American Johnsonville Dogs
I wouldn’t take Bryant for Lamet.
If Padres seriously want Bryant wait 2 years then sign him.
Lamet has a chance to be a solid #2 for years to come.
But it’s not Bryant for Lamet straight up anyways. Cubs probably want campusano Lamet and another pitcher or 2.
ortsacnilrats
That’s asinine. I’m not huge on Bryant but he’s definitely better than Lamet. Plus, didn’t Lamet already have a serious arm injury?
mike127
Sounds like this call:
Preller: “Hey Rick, got a pitcher that I can guarantee will take you out of the race, allow you to stay under .500 for another five consecutive seasons. Pretty sure he can win 16 for you over the next 3 years, while losing 35 and keep his ERA at almost 5.50. Do you want James Shields?”
Hahn: “Sure. Let me tell Tatis we just traded him to San Diego.”
axisofhonor25
Ouch, so true though
bryzzo_2016
Hahaha… ACTUAL facts.
wordonthestreet
Hilarious
dynamite drop in monty
I’ll take my chances. I forgot how nice romance is.
humphrey x boegarts
I haven’t felt it for the longest time
bronyaur
not sure if my comment posted – this would have been an atrocious deal, only about the Cubs unloading salary. Glad it did not happen.
Wolverines2
Obviously you don’t know much about the value of the players mentioned that would have come back from SD. I love KB, but I’m glad the Padres did not make that deal from a fan’s perspective in SD.
ortsacnilrats
I’m more confused the Cvbs (I got you ChiSox ;)) would want another catching prospect. That’s all they have currently.
ChiSoxCity
©️
ortsacnilrats
I want to hate this but touché.
lowtalker1
I don’t think so
You can have hedges quantril and perdomo and like it
drewskis86
no they will take bryant and they currently like it
lowtalker1
And lose him and continue to lose over all
drewskis86
wow preseason hot take. got any others? heres mine, padres dont make the playoffs
bringbackthebluee
Here come the loser trolls infesting Padre articles again. What’s new
amk3510
Thats so bad they’d be better off keeping him for 2 years and getting a comp pick
hockeyjohn
lowtalker
You talk tough for a fan of a team coming off a 70 win season. If Preller talks that way in trade negotiations, he will never get anything done. Enjoy Wil Myers and his wonderful contract.
Javia
Are you really going to question the ability to negotiate of the man who got Fernando Tatis Jr. from your team for James freakin Shields hockeyjohn? SD can survive another thee seasons of Wil Myers. At least AJ is smart enough to not be trading away the next Superstar SS in a deal to get rid of Myers. Maybe Cubs FO could learn from him. And in 3 years when Myers is gone, where will all of the current Cubs SPs be? Collecting Social Security.
jimthegoat
He already traded a superstar SS to get Myers.
And as far as AJ’s negotiating ability goes, Tatis was not a premium trade chip when he was traded.
DrDan75
Wil Myers is good enough to carry the whole team when he gets hot. The problem is that he can also be terrible and he’s had injuries over the years. His ST performance is pretty encouraging, and he has reportedly become friends with Tommy Pham. Maybe he will come around.
humphrey x boegarts
I hope Will and Tommy’s friendship blossoms
wileycoyote56
I wouldn’t put a lot of credence into this, talking deals and actually doing one are altogether different. Usually these rumors are unsubstantiated, many times pure fiction.
rondon
Ain’t that the truth. Mid-season is gonna be interesting. If Bryant is thriving in the lead off spot, that probably would mean the Cubs are as well.. Which would present quite the quandary for Theo- Bryant would probably be worth more, but would you trade him or keep him?
jimthegoat
Trading Bryant at the deadline won’t be an option if they are contending but he will still have trade value next offseason.
bigwestbaseball
Astros are cheating scum bags. Manfred is a joke. MLB sucks.
Banesays
Not as hard as you do.
drewskis86
GOTTEM
la verdad
Nice to see grade school boys still have time to post comments on message boards.
Don’t forget to get your homework done Bane. I would hate to hear that you missed recess because you had to stay in and finish it.
dynamite drop in monty
Dude I’m sorry the Astros never called your sister back
Ejemp2006
The Astros called my sister back but it didn’t work out, even with second date. The Astros wanted commitment but my sister is not ready to settle down. We were disappoint but it probably worked out for the best. Regardless of Astros family money and status, once a cheater, always a cheater.
nymetsking
Can I have your sister’s number?
Ejemp2006
Yes. She is at 867-5309. Her name is Mrs. Jenny Robinson. Here’s to you for asking:) But give time. She has already dates with Jessie. It’s hard being Stacy’s mom. But we support her. A lot. Astros too?
All American Johnsonville Dogs
Psh. They were more interested in banging trash cans than banging his sister.
She wanted to rip off altuves jersey..heard that was a deal breaker from the astros side.
gregstruth89
Are you a cubs fan?
skip tracey
You!
Lovinmlb
Bryant doesn’t fit the Padres 5 year plan. They are only interested in acquiring overrated talent and over paying for it.
Javia
“Notice me! Notice me!” Yes, I can feel you pulling on my pant leg Lovinmlb. Daddy will pay some attention to you as soon as he is done talking to the adults, okay? Good boy!
sandiegoharry
sad but true
CrikesAlready
Part owner Ron Fowler is a big supporter of KB’s University of San Diego.
Surprised they didn’t make that happen… Oh, it’s what Preller wants that matters… Silly me!
TrumpCard
Somewhere there ia a trash can moaning
dynamite drop in monty
Nah that’s your mom.
Ejemp2006
No my mom moans over trash can too. It’s always, take it out! It’s smelling in the garage!
The Astros like my jokes. Do you too? A lot?
nymetsking
Ha!
gregstruth89
Are you a cubs fan?
That Baseball Fan
The Cubs overvalue Bryant and their other pieces. No wonder he’s still a Cub, after reading this.
bbatardo
Lament isn’t a household name but is poised to have a breakout year. Cubs were smart to ask for him. Him and a good catching prospect is a high ask.
DrDan75
Lamet is a strikeout machine when he’s on.
Going strong Ftwo years after TJ surgery.
angt222
SD was likely trying to nab Bryant for a corner OF spot and flip Myers to Boston.
derrickmartin1356
He’ll be a Brave by mid-July.
skip tracey
Arenado imo goes to Braves over Bryant.
padreforlife
So basically a whole lot of nothing. Would like my last 30 seconds back because this piece was quite waste of time.
jimthegoat
Not like your time is all that valuable.
padreforlife
True
bigbadjohnny
This is just another Fake News media report.
The San Diego writer just filling in some space in his newspaper.
padreforlife
They are the worse writing for 1 major sports team and not being able to say anything negative is sad.
bigbadjohnny
Misinformation…….that is the #1 subject matter that the media loves to promote…..in news, sports, politics, cultural ……….do not take this report at value………..more like bar talk between two reporters at 3 am.
The Human Rain Delay
If this is only the ask more teams need to be on the phone-
If Im Cubs I ask for 3 pitchers/No hitters even if 1 of the arms is for the pen-
These guys have Nothing on the way or team controlled on the mound which helps the payroll out so dearly down the line
Javia
San Diego said no to THIS deal. That means if/when the Cubs trade Bryant, it will be for less than this.
The Human Rain Delay
I know, thats terrible, especially considering Contreras and Vic C have 7 yrs of control left – I have No clue what the Cubs are thinking-
They literally have 2 pitchers under contract next yr with nobody looking likely to rise from the minors- Free agency is a terrible value play for Sps, when will they learn
If I was another team reading this Id start creating some pitches myself
phillyballers
This trade doesnt even make sense. SD kicked the tires maybe, but where does Bryant play?
Javia
RF
Backatitagain
Sean Newcomb, Bryse Wilson, Shane Greene and Ender Inciarte for Kris Bryant and Jose Quintana.