Olney: Cubs Have Discussed Possible Kris Bryant Trades
Kris Bryant poses for a portrait in New Orleans, LA, USA on 14 April, 2015.
Starting pieces like this are always difficult. They are so because I want to scream at whomever has suggested this as a possibility. But, nonetheless, I try to write about the Chicago Cubs, and this is going to be a topic that will be talked about.
In a recent article, ESPN’s Buster Onley has said that the Cubs have made it known that they are willing to discuss potential trades including Kris Bryant. I know, you also want to yell and scream, but this time directed at me. Please don’t. Click the link above, and here, and yell at Onley.
Now, Bryant won the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year, as well as the 2016 NL MVP award. He is also the first player in baseball history to win the NCAA College Player of the Year, Minor League Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and MVP in successive seasons. In Bryant’s MVP season, the Cubs went on to win the World Series, the team’s first in 108 years, and in the clinching game, Bryant hit a massive home run early.
Fast-forward to the potential of trading the player who I have long stated, as soon as the Cubs drafted him it made them World Series contenders, and it is enough to pull your hair out. But, at the GM Meetings this past week, Theo Epstein was asked about the potential of trading players like Bryant and first baseman, Anthony Rizzo. In fact, it seems as if the Cubs are open to trading anyone on their roster.
“As part of their early offseason discussions, sources say, the Cubs have indicated to other teams they are willing to discuss trade proposals for almost all of the players on their roster,” Buster wrote. “Including Bryant, who struggled in 2018, batting .272 with 13 homers in 102 games. Bryant went on the disabled list twice with left shoulder trouble.”
“We’ve never operated with untouchables,” he said. “It sends the wrong message. Given what we’re trying to accomplish, it would be virtually impossible to envision the deal that would make sense to move them. I just don’t believe in untouchables. Why limit yourself?”
Seeing this, it does calm me a little. Knowing that any deal that would cause Bryant, or Rizzo, to be traded would absolutely have to knock the Cubs off their feet. But, even though the Cubs might not operate in “untouchables,” why even put this out there as a consideration? This is something that doesn’t make sense. Unless, it does…
This is what I mean… Bryant was off to another MVP type of season in 2018. Up until May 22nd, Bryant was batting .303/.426/.581 and was on pace for 30+ home runs, 100+ RBI, and 100+ runs scored. But there was that pesky shoulder that he tore up sliding into first base, which sidelined his entire season.
Perhaps, and this is purely speculation, the Cubs know Bryant’s power or ability will never fully come back? There were some whispers in September that Bryant had a significant tear which would require surgery to repair. Since the season ended, and Theo has been asked about this on a couple of occasions, the issue is not repairable by going under the knife and it is something that will linger in Bryant’s shoulder forever?
This is the only reason that I can think of to trade Bryant. The Cubs would be selling high on him, which is something they have not been able to do on other players like Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber, or their shortstop with off the field issues.
According to MLBTradeRumors, Bryant is due $12.4 million in an arbitration raise. He, as long as he continues to perform like the 2015-16 Kris Bryant, will be due a monster contract come 2022. As teams fall out of contention for guys like Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, they could be enticed to kick the tires on a potential Bryant trade.
But still, this seems almost too stupid for it to be a real thing. I mean, the Cubs would need to get several highly coveted prospects in return. That package would absolutely need to include high ceiling pitching as well as a couple position players or two (or three or four). I’m not sure there is a team out there that has the young talent available, that is willing to trade it for a player that they will pay almost free agent money to over the next couple season and then lose him to his impending free agency.
None of this makes sense, and it is HIGHLY unlikely to happen, but this story is out there so there you go… What do you think? I’m certain I’ll get plenty of feedback.
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