UPDATE: We have since learned that Kris Bryant is unlikely to be traded. Here is the update: https://chicagostylesports.com/someone-with-knowledge-in-bryants-camp-claims-no-trade-is-imminent/
I put out a quick blurb on the Chicago Style Sports Facebook page that there was a big move coming. As things continued to shake out, it sounds more and more like the Chicago Cubs are nearing a trade for All Star third baseman Kris Bryant. With the New York Mets being the most anticipated landing spot.
There's been dialogue between the Mets and Cubs recently about Kris Bryant. The Cubs really like catcher Francisco Alvarez, one of the Mets' top prospects. Sandy Alderson indicated yesterday he isn't trading top prospects.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) January 8, 2021
But, there is reason to suspect that that the Mets are not as involved as some others, especially since they are unwilling to move their top prospect for Bryant. The other important part to note, the Cubs and Mets apparently haven’t talked about Bryant in weeks.
According to Andy Martino of SYN.com, “Those talks occurred before the Mets knew that they would acquire an even brighter star in Shortstop Francisco Lindor.”
Amid increasing industry chatter that Kris Bryant will be on the move soon, Mets and Cubs broke off trade talks weeks ago.
https://t.co/eM2EngpwIY— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) January 9, 2021
Martino goes on to suggest that the Mets will be unwilling to move above the $210 million luxury tax figure, and any move to acquire Bryant would move them closer to that figure. Spotrac currently has the Mets at $161.9m, with a luxury tax number of $185.7m. Bryant, who played mostly injured in 2020, is set to earn just under $20m in 2021, which would leave the Mets with roughly $4.5 million for mid-year moves.
What could make sense for both Chicago and New York is a trade of Bryant AND Willson Contreras to the Mets for JD Davis, Francisco Alvarez, another prospect, Dellin Betances, and Steven Matz? The Cubs are in need of pitching and in a deal like this, the Mets would move $17.5 million back to the Cubs. While it seems like the goal for the Cubs is to reduce payroll this year, they’ve already done that, eliminating around $75 million from last season. On top of this, Matz is in his final year, as is Bentances ($6 million salary, $10.5m luxury tax number). JD Davis is in his first year of arbitration, so his salary will be controlled for another two years.
Bryant has simply been the best offensive player on the Cubs roster since he has been in Chicago. He’s more than 6 fWAR above Anthony Rizzo since 2015, his OPS is tied with Rizzo as the best on the team (.889), and he owns a 136 wRC+ (again tied with Rizzo) since his rookie campaign.
The Yu Darvish trade was Jed Hoyer closing the window, a Kris Bryant trade will be him sealing it shut and boarding it up.
KB. KB! KB!! KB!!! I'm begging of you please don't trade that man…. pic.twitter.com/aGlb1ePdEI
— Danny Rockett (@SonRanto) January 9, 2021
