Passan: Cubs will listen to trade offers for Bryant

[zack54attack]

From his article today: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...ing-20-questions-2019-20-mlb-hot-stove-season

Oh, and a number of executives are expecting monster names to be in trade talks.

Wait. Did you say monster names?
Are Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor and Kris Bryant monster enough?

Really?
Yup. Now, this does not mean all three -- or even any of the three -- will be traded. But in preparing for this winter, rival executives believe the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs are willing to at very least listen on their stars.

This is nothing new for any of the three organizations. All are successful in part because they have no sacred cows, because they explore all avenues to winning, because to dismiss an idea outright is antithetical to teams that pride themselves on curiosity and creativity.

Bryant is the wild card. A not-uncommon feeling inside the Cubs organization is the need for a big shake-up. Perhaps Maddon leaving would provide that. The sentiment among some extends to the players too. And with Javier Baez a reasonable bet to stick around -- more on that later -- and Bryant a Boras client more prone to testing free agency, the Cubs may see him as a combination of Betts and Lindor: a star with two years of control primed to hold out for free agency but capable beforehand of enriching a farm system in desperate need of help after years of dealing away its most valuable pieces.

 

[JimJohnson]

Good

 

[CSF77]

Called it

 

[CSF77]

And it would be common sense. He is a big trade chip and I still believe Minn would be a ideal match up for the Cubs.

But there are most likely other match ups. But Minn is a team that lacks resources to sign mega starts in their prime so getting a talent like him for 2 years is worth paying in prospects.

Cubs need to start shedding pending problems. Bryant is a big one.

 

[beckdawg]

More interesting aspect of this to me is Lindor and Betts because both represent the type of hitter I believe the cubs need, namely high contact bats with a bit of speed and who are also good defenders. Betts in particular I think will be cheaper than you may initial suspect just because he's likely going to push $30 mil in his final year of arbitration. In other words, he's going to be making basically market value and only has 1 year left. As for Lindor, the idea of teaming him and Baez up the middle for something like the next decade is quite enticing or depending on other moving pieces you might move Baez to 3B should Bryant get moved.

The other interesting aspect of this is Russell is sort of regaining some of his value. His 93 wRC+ is basically similar to the player he was in 2016 and in the second half he's hitting .270/.357/.514(125 wRC+). I'm not going to sit here and suggest he's anywhere near the value he was as a prospect but if Cleveland truly is going to move Lindor then Russell makes an attractive piece you would have to imagine because he's MLB ready and he could effectively replace Lindor albeit as an inferior player at SS.

 

[CSF77]

More interesting aspect of this to me is Lindor and Betts because both represent the type of hitter I believe the cubs need, namely high contact bats with a bit of speed and who are also good defenders. Betts in particular I think will be cheaper than you may initial suspect just because he's likely going to push $30 mil in his final year of arbitration. In other words, he's going to be making basically market value and only has 1 year left. As for Lindor, the idea of teaming him and Baez up the middle for something like the next decade is quite enticing or depending on other moving pieces you might move Baez to 3B should Bryant get moved.

The other interesting aspect of this is Russell is sort of regaining some of his value. His 93 wRC+ is basically similar to the player he was in 2016 and in the second half he's hitting .270/.357/.514(125 wRC+). I'm not going to sit here and suggest he's anywhere near the value he was as a prospect but if Cleveland truly is going to move Lindor then Russell makes an attractive piece you would have to imagine because he's MLB ready and he could effectively replace Lindor albeit as an inferior player at SS.

Joe said that he has his short swing again. I'm guessing between his shoulder injury and time off had caused him to alter his swing.

But as of right now, he should be the starting 2B. If he is trending up at the plate there are few 2B in MLB that are better options.

On Lindor, I don't think the Cubs make that trade. I just see them shifting some players around to lower overhead. Bryant out and Nico in makes plenty of sense. You get a few high end prospects Nico goes to either 2B or SS and Baez takes over 3B. Which might make him a GG quality glove there.

Russell I would let it play out for now. I'm in the camp of letting him build up real value and trading. I'm not going to lie here. He has never met his potential yet and might still happen. At that point sell high. Another Boras player with a checkered past really not a career Cub

 

[Rory Sparrow]

And it would be common sense. He is a big trade chip and I still believe Minn would be a ideal match up for the Cubs.

But there are most likely other match ups. But Minn is a team that lacks resources to sign mega starts in their prime so getting a talent like him for 2 years is worth paying in prospects.

Yes, your Bryant/Almora for Bruxton/top prospects trade scenario makes perfect sense. If there is an MLB organization that consistently trades away its top prospects and top young starters to acquire players with fewer arbitration years remaining on their contracts...its the Twins!

 

[anotheridiot]

I take it Pisson is not a cub fan to find a way to jack with players minds on this 32 game playoff series.

 

[CSF77]

Yes, your Bryant/Almora for Bruxton/top prospects trade scenario makes perfect sense. If there is an MLB organization that consistently trades away its top prospects and top young starters to acquire players with fewer arbitration years remaining on their contracts...its the Twins!

Are you crying because right after I posted a potential situation and then you tried so desperately to bust my chops. And right after this comes out.

I told you it was common sense pending and I just posted one potential situation.

So instead of accually imputing some alternative trades that make more sense you decided to take the low road and act like a little *****.

Congrats. Now you are getting closer to Chi55.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Are you crying because right after I posted a potential situation and then you tried so desperately to bust my chops. And right after this comes out.

I told you it was common sense pending and I just posted one potential situation.

So instead of accually imputing some alternative trades that make more sense you decided to take the low road and act like a little *****.

Congrats. Now you are getting closer to Chi55.

You should put him on ignore. From the first time I showed up on the board, people have come and gone, but I’ve always enjoyed your posts and Beckdawg’s whether I’ve agreed with them or not. The hilarious thing about posters like him is they won’t ever admit when they are wrong. It’s a very bad trait, but posters like that aren’t on the forum for conversation and interest.

 

[CSF77]

You should put him on ignore. From the first time I showed up on the board, people have come and gone, but I’ve always enjoyed your posts and Beckdawg’s whether I’ve agreed with them or not. The hilarious thing about posters like him is they won’t ever admit when they are wrong. It’s a very bad trait, but posters like that aren’t on the forum for conversation and interest.

 

[anotheridiot]

Last year the team had drama with Russell, now Pisson has to find something else to get thoughts in that locker rooms mind. Shouldn't we find someone else to be mad at?

MLB is not doing the cubs any favors, giving Milwaukee an off day before every cub series this year, two weeks in a row with night games before travel and day game at Wrigley, its hard enough for this team to get on a win streak.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Bryant, Yellich, and Harper all have a plan to wear eye shadow and suck each others dicks in Philly.

Philly has shown money in the past and have ended the rebuild. They will have to find a way to ditch Arrieta before Yellich is a free agent, but the Cubs are left with no choice here if Bryant won't sign with them.

Good luck getting value when he won't sign and trade though. Bryant wants free agency and already decided destination.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Only funny cuz its true.

 

[bigdady69]

From his article today: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...ing-20-questions-2019-20-mlb-hot-stove-season

No freaking way ! So many teams and fans wish they had Bryant

 

[beckdawg]

I'm not going to say the cubs should absolutely trade Bryant but I don't think you can be dogmatic about it either. For example, I think long term I'd personally rather have Betts than Bryant. Additionally, I think I might take Rendon over Bryant too since he seems likely to hit FA. So, if someone is willing to give you the appropriate package of prospects to get Bryant and you can just go out and sign Rendon.... i mean i'd be interested in that.

 

[CSF77]

I'm not going to say the cubs should absolutely trade Bryant but I don't think you can be dogmatic about it either. For example, I think long term I'd personally rather have Betts than Bryant. Additionally, I think I might take Rendon over Bryant too since he seems likely to hit FA. So, if someone is willing to give you the appropriate package of prospects to get Bryant and you can just go out and sign Rendon.... i mean i'd be interested in that.

I would do it regardless. Baez in his brief stints at 3B ran a 15 DRS in the past. That is GG quality D and only the fact Machado is in the same league it wouldn't be Javy's trophy every year.

O wise Both give value. You could quantify Bryant by his walk rate. Javy by is better overall game. But we are talking about 2 6 WAR players. It is small talk honestly

So the final intangible is future payday.

Even if they both make equal. Javy ages into a 3B. Bryant ages into a 1B. The choice is obvious is you really look at it

That is my take at least. I just see this as a choice in who they retain and Javy is the right decision.

 

[MDB111™]

I'm not going to say the cubs should absolutely trade Bryant but I don't think you can be dogmatic about it either. For example, I think long term I'd personally rather have Betts than Bryant. Additionally, I think I might take Rendon over Bryant too since he seems likely to hit FA. So, if someone is willing to give you the appropriate package of prospects to get Bryant and you can just go out and sign Rendon.... i mean i'd be interested in that.

Rendon should get about 150 million though too right? The guy is killing it this year.
I think when it comes down to it, we blew our load on Heyward and now only have room for Bryant or Baez contractually

 

[CSF77]

Rendon should get about 150 million though too right? The guy is killing it this year.
I think when it comes down to it, we blew our load on Heyward and now only have room for Bryant or Baez contractually

You figure Bryant is going to get 15 mil at min. Javy should bump up to 10-12. So you are taking on 25-27 mil between the two anyways.

I would sit down with both this off and see who takes a extension. And go from there. Javy is going to get 200 mil on the market at min. He should be 28 then and a 10 year deal is really easy to see with him. 250 mil might be his true market at that point.

Boras will push 300M with Bryant. He should be 29 on the market and a 10 year deal is in reach.

That is what to expect

 

[Diehardfan]

ZZzzzzzzz......