Kris Bryant trade talks between Cubs and Nationals ‘have gone nowhere’
The Nationals reportedly love Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, but trade talks between the clubs “have gone nowhere,” according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Bryant’s name has frequented rumors this winter, with the Braves, Nationals, Phillies and Rangers being linked to him at one point or another. A trade has never been a foregone conclusion, as the Cubs aren’t going to move the star third baseman for anything less than what they deem to be fair value.
The Cubs have requested Nationals center fielder Victor Robles in Bryant trade talks, per multiple reports, but Washington has been reluctant to include him. Robles is less established in the big leagues, but he’s under team control through 2024.
Meanwhile, Bryant’s unresolved service time grievance is an elephant in the metaphorical negotiating room. If Bryant loses, he’ll remain under team control through 2021; if he wins, he’ll hit free agency after next season. The Cubs would net more for him in a trade if he has two years of control remaining rather than one.
Evan Drellich of The Athletic reported on Dec. 20 a decision on Bryant’s grievance would come in the new year. It’s possible trade talks have gone nowhere because the Nationals are awaiting the results of the grievance. It’s also possible the Cubs’ asking price for Bryant is too high for Washington, who has other third base options in reportedly-signed infielders Starlin Castro and Asdrubal Cabrera.
Furthermore, the Nationals — among others — have been linked to star free agent third baseman Josh Donaldson. Donaldson coming off the market will make Bryant’s trade market much clearer, as teams looking for a third base upgrade could look to the latter to fill that need.
Bryant’s grievance case is the ultimate roadblock to any potential deal. The sooner that situation is resolved, the sooner we’ll have more clarity on the situation. But as things currently stand, one team appears to be a less likely destination than others, should Bryant be traded.
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Cubs Talk Podcast: Kris Bryant trade talks heat up
USA TODAY
David Kaplan is joined by Jeff Nelson, Nate Poppen, and Tim Stebbins to discuss the only real news the Cubs have been a part of this offseason: how close the Cubs are in trading MVP Kris Bryant.
(1:13) – The Cubs have been quiet all offseason
(3:53) – After trading Bryant, could Cubs go after Nolan Arenado?
(6:00) – Who would you rather have: Bryant or Arenado?
(9:25) – Which current Cub would make a great manager?
(13:25) – Top 10 memories of the 2019 season
Listen to the full podcast here or via the embedded player below:
Cubs Talk Podcast
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Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of the Chicago Cubs easily on your device.
Cubs named as ‘potential suitor’ for Nolan Arenado, but here is why it’s unlikely
If the Cubs move Kris Bryant this winter, they reportedly could replace him with another superstar third baseman.
According to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, the chances the Rockies deal Nolan Arenado this offseason are around 50 percent. The Cubs “loom as a possible suitor” for the 28-year-old Arenado, “especially if they trade (Bryant),” per Morosi’s report.
Bryant has been a fixture of trade rumors this offseason. The Cubs are looking to get under MLB’s $208 million luxury tax threshold, and clearing his 2020 projected salary of $18.5 million would help accomplish this while also clearing money for other roster needs. Bryant could net the Cubs a prospect package to help replenish the organization’s barren farm system.
Furthermore, Bryant’s agent is Scott Boras, whose clients tend to hit the open market to maximize their value. If the Cubs feel they won’t be able to reach a contract extension with Bryant before he hits free agency, it’s better to trade him rather than lose him for nothing.
Acquiring Arenado would give the Cubs cost certainty at third base in the form of a five-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove Award winner. But the move is unlikely for several reasons.
Arenado signed an eight-year, $260 million deal last February that will pay him $35 million annually from 2020-2024, $32 million in 2025 and $27 million in 2026. The Cubs’ projected payroll for 2020 is $191 million, and Arenado’s salary would push that figure north of $220 million.
The Cubs are in a position where they need to acquire young assets for the future while remaining competitive. Arenado would help achieve the latter, but the Rockies will ask a trade partner to take on a significant chunk of his salary on top of seeking players. Acquiring Arenado would contradict the Cubs’ offseason to date.
Arenado also has an opt-out in his deal after 2021, so his contract would put the Cubs in the same situation they’re currently in with Bryant (assuming the latter loses his service-time grievance case). The big difference would be Arenado taking up twice the space as Bryant on the payroll.
While Bryant very well could get traded, it’s highly unlikely the Cubs replace him at the hot corner with Arenado.
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