Lukewarm Stove: Bryant-Donaldson Connection, LAD Hot on Lindor, Castellanos and STL (Pukes)? More

Although we’ve been expecting serious Kris Bryant trade rumors for weeks now, the holdup has been explained by (1) the outstanding service time grievance and (2) Josh Donaldson’s continued free agency. Until both matters are resolved, the talks will likely stay muted, and Bryant is going to remain a Cub … which means there’s no point in worrying about the grievance resolution too much right now, because he isn’t getting traded until Donaldson signs anyway, right?

Well, maybe. Maybe the plan really is to bring Bryant to the teams that miss out on Donaldson in the hopes that they might overpay after a free agent whiff. That’s been the thinking, and is still probably the most plausible scenario.

  • Or maybe it’s the exact opposite:
  • Consider a total hypothetical to go along with that thinking: Let’s say you’re the Braves and you really don’t want to give four-years to Donaldson, who’s otherwise pegged Atlanta as his first choice this winter. And let’s also say you’ve got a deal for Bryant pending a Cubs win in the grievance, but can’t make that deal until the decision comes through. Donaldson, meanwhile, knows that if Bryant somehow manages to win the grievance, you’re not going through with the trade and you might be willing to give him that fourth year. And since Atlanta is his first choice, he’s willing to wait it out. And, hey, if waiting out Atlanta forces teams like the Twins and Nationals to four year offers (which it has) in the meantime, it’s kind of working out for Donaldson anyway.
  • The point here, though, is that we could actually be waiting on the grievance (dog) and not on Donaldson (tail, being wagged), as we first suspected. Makes the delay even more frustrating, eh?
  • The newer, possibly more concerning development on the big-time trade market, is the Indians’ clearer-than-ever interest in listening on Francisco Lindor. What was once a “No seriously, not right now – but thanks!” has evolved into a “We just traded Corey Kluber and are now fielding our best and final offers for Lindor (and also maybe Mike Clevinger) over the weekend.”
  • And to that end, do you think Bob Nightengale heard something yesterday?
  • The Dodgers interest in Lindor seems very real and much fresher than any past interest they may have had in Kris Bryant, which is a bummer because they have a very attractive set of pieces they could trade. But also I have a feeling Lindor, alone, wouldn’t even move the Dodgers on Gavin Lux (which is probably why Clevinger’s name is out there, as well). And I don’t think the Indians (or the Cubs, for that matter) are all that anxious to get Seager back as the primary return – obviously, he’s extremely young (25) and talented, but he’s also been injured and is a free agent after just two more years … exactly the same as Lindor/Bryant – so who really knows where this is all going.
  • The other name in those tweets is Mookie Betts, who is still available and likely to be moved this offseason (before totally signing a mega-deal with the Cubs next year, right?). The Red Sox continue to shop Betts as well as David Price.
  • Remember those weird Brewers rumors regarding Josh Hader? Well, they’re back. According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees remain interested in a trade for the Brewers … second most valuable player? … and could begin a package with third baseman Miguel Andujar. The Brewers intentions here remain questionable, because for however much they may need a third baseman of the future, they probably need Hader even more (i.e. perhaps they know or expect something about Hader’s next four years of performance). Also of note, Miguel Andujar is still very clearly on the trade block. He was in Rangers rumors earlier this winter, as well as those random Kyle Schwarber/Yankees proposals. He’s an alternative to Donaldson/Bryant, but kind of in the way that Al’s Beef is an alternative to Portillo’s. The bat might prove to be legit, but no one is at all sure he can actually play third base.
  • The Cardinals have a ton of outfielders on their roster at the moment – even after trading Adolis Garcia to the Rangers over the weekend – but this opinion piece wonders why not go after Nick Castellanos? The Cardinals interest in re-signing Marcell Ozuna has been well-documented, and that does make you wonder, yeah, why not Castellanos? I very much hate that it makes some sense and I’m preparing to catch my puke in some sort of receptacle when that news breaks. Or, since the Cubs are still interested in Castellanos, maybe the Cardinals are just content to be annoying.
  • For what it’s worth, the Cardinals have also checked in on third baseman Nolan Arenado, but find the asking price “impossible to meet.”
  • The Indians have their second baseman … and it’s someone the Cubs had been connected to (at least speculatively) over the past couple weeks (if they’d been able to move salary before he signed, sigh):
  • Hernandez can play some shortstop, but he’s more of a second baseman and the Indians do not have a second baseman. So while this potentially covers them at short a little, I don’t think it makes moving Lindor any more or less likely to happen.
  • Brett got into the starting pitcher trade market – as it relates to Jose Quintana – earlier today, and the topic is expanded upon at ESPN with a focus on the Rays Charlie Morton. Also of note in that piece (they cover a lot of ground), the Pirates are likely to try to move Chris Archer at the deadline and the Padres are still trying to push all in for 2020 (possibly including a trade for Francisco Lindor). They were connected to Kris Bryant (as an outfielder) and Willson Contreras earlier this offseason – and certainly have the sort of system that could match up well with the Cubs – but I haven’t seen much on that lately.
  • The Marlins are signing free agent catcher Francisco Cervelli. So another catcher comes off the board.
  • Old friend alert (I can’t believe he got this much – good for him!):
  • Johnson was basically this front office’s first developed pitching prospect (selected back in the supplemental first round of the 2012 MLB Draft), so now they have another one in the big leagues again! Big success!
  • written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

    more cubs news

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    Latest News

    Big Ten Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 29

    There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature Big Ten squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Gonzaga Bulldogs versus the Purdue Boilermakers.How to Bet on Big Ten Games[lasso ref="draftkings-promo-1"...

    SEC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 30

    The Friday postseason college basketball slate includes two games featuring an SEC team in action. Among those games is the Creighton Bluejays playing the Tennessee Volunteers. Here are our recomendations for the best bets on action throughout the conference.How to...

    Big 12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 30

    There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature Big 12 squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Duke Blue Devils versus the Houston Cougars.How to Bet on Big 12 Games[lasso...

    ACC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 29

    There are two games on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature ACC squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That includes the Duke Blue Devils versus the Houston Cougars.How to Bet on ACC Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best ACC...

    Big East Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 29

    There are three games on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature Big East squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That includes the Creighton Bluejays versus the Tennessee Volunteers.How to Bet on Big East Games[lasso ref="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"...

    Braves vs. Phillies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Atlanta Braves open their season as -125 favorites in a road matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday at 3:05 PM ET, live on BSSO.Spencer Strider takes the mound for Atlanta while Zack Wheeler is Philadelphia's starter for the...

    Washington State vs. Illinois Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Two hot teams meet when the Washington State Cougars (21-14) host the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-15) on April 1, 2024. The Cougars will put their three-game win streak on the line against the Fighting Illini, who have won three straight.On...

    Villanova vs. Penn State Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Villanova Wildcats (21-12) will try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Penn State Lady Lions (22-12) on April 1, 2024. The Lady Lions have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Villanova...

    Brewers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers look to start their season with a win as road favorites (-110) in a season-opening matchup with the New York Mets. First pitch is on Friday at 1:40 PM ET on SNY, live from Citi Field.Freddy Peralta...

    Braves vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Atlanta Braves (0-0) and the Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) match up on Friday at Citizens Bank Park for Opening Day. First pitch is at 3:05 PM ET.The Braves will look to Spencer Strider versus the Phillies and Zack Wheeler.Braves vs....

    more cubs news