Someone ‘With Knowledge’ in Bryant’s Camp Claims No Trade is Imminent

So this is going to be a whirlwind sorta day… First, we had the news about Kyle Schwarber signing in Washington, and then there was a suggestion that Kris Bryant could be traded as soon as today. All of this, and I haven’t been able to sit and do a post about Corey Crawford retiring!?

This was supposed to be a nice, relaxing weekend…

Anyways, there was a tweet that was sent out by the Chicago Cubs godfather or morale, Dom_Frederic. He suggested that Cubs fans should prepare themselves today. Then there was some “insider chatter” that suggested Kris Bryant was likely to be traded this weekend.

I’m sure you’ve seen the stories passed around.

Now, I do believe it is true, we should be prepared for something to happen. But as I search around for more information I’m believing it has less and less to do with Kris Bryant, and more to do with another fan favorite. I say this because, any move would be news to the Bryant camp (as explained by someone close to the KB camp). I have also reached out to the camp and have gotten a response. They have said, “Not gonna be a (Kris Bryant) trade. I would be surprised if there was. It’s all pure speculation.”

If Bryant is about to be traded, they’re not responding to little ole me. (Although I’ve been told they appreciate me over there)

Remember, it seemed very legit when Jed Hoyer suggested that a Bryant trade is a definite. He liked the idea of him being on the roster and had big plans for Kris in 2021. Yes, there was the whole issue when Yu Darvish suggested that his phone never rang when he was traded. Darvish did confirm that he was told about a likely trade, but just wasn’t called before it happened. The Cubs haven’t made that prep call to Bryant, so it’s unlikely that they’d then move him.

So, if it’s not Kris, than it must be someone else…

…this one might hurt…

There are two players I think this news can be about. But first, let’s look at who it’s not.

I don’t believe this is Anthony Rizzo. The return on Rizzo wouldn’t be much, and for a team that has already she’d enough salary (roughly $75 million) trading Rizzo simply for a salary dump is bad business and does nothing for the future. No team around baseball will give the Cubs anything if real value in return for Rizzo, even knowing how much he’s meant to this organization. It certainly can be true, a player is more valuable to his current organization that he would be to anyone else. That’s so with Rizzo. (that rhymes)

Bryant, very well could be a possibility, but as described above, it seems unlikely. He could still get a nice return, which is hard to believe to some people, but it seems like the Cubs are more willing to ride with him till at least the trade deadline before a potential move.

Willson Contreras is another that could be moved. In fact, I feel that he is one of two players being talked about right now. Similar to how I reported the Yu Darvish trade, his name is coming up in far too many other team’s beat reporter articles to go unnoticed. While I don’t think the Cubs are “feverishly” trying to move him, he is coming up a lot and could be someone to watch this weekend.

But the main guy I see being moved is Javier Baez. From the initial report, it seems like it would be someone who is loved by all. I do know the Cubs and Baez attempted to get an extension done last season. I do know the Cubs were far off from Baez’s expectations. While they ran out of time last winter, the change in organizational philosophy has turned Baez into someone that the Cubs could shop.

I just have a very bad feeling that Baez is potentially being shipped and that is who everyone is talking about. Things are far too quiet there, and for a team with one eye on now and the other on tomorrow, Baez sorta makes sense.

Him gone would suck. I have been rough on him of late, but it would suck to lose him. But, if they are looking at today and tomorrow it might be the time to move to Nico Hoerner to take over as the everyday SS. This could open 2B for David Bote, where his bat fits in more than the offensive position third base is. This will allow the club to replenish, potentially compete in 2021, and build current players on the roster for the future.

Right now, this is speculation. Right now, no one really knows who. I trust the scuttlebutt from the people I’ve seen so far, so I think something is happening. But, it isn’t going to involve Kris Bryant.

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