Bryant Grievance Aftermath: Cubs Talking Trades, Braves and Rangers Still In, No Ill Will, More

An inevitable outgrowth from the Kris Bryant service time grievance decision – he remains under team control for two more seasons – is that the rumors and speculation about trade bits were going to kick up immediately.

We got into the Nolan Arenado stuff earlier today, but there were a whole lot of other things attendant to Bryant trade rumors that shook loose today. Whether it is actually the case that teams were not chatting up the Cubs much until the decision came out, or whether it’s just that the decision offered a checkpoint for the purveyors of rumors to say some things, it doesn’t really matter for our external purposes. The point is, there are things to discuss …

  • Just in case there was any question, Jeff Passan – who broke the news of the arbitrator’s decision – confirms that, yes, the Cubs have been having those hypothetical trade talks about Bryant behind the scenes for “most of the offseason,” according to sources. So there’s little reason to believe that’s going to change now. In fact, it will almost certainly accelerate as the Cubs are ideally going to want to commit to a lane before Spring Training: either Bryant is out and the team is reshaped in a very fundamental way, or they’re carrying him at least to the Trade Deadline in the hopes that they compete (and if not, reexamine his market at that time).
  • Ah, remember back when it seemed like the Rangers were the most aggressive team on Kris Bryant, but we concluded they were a pretty tough trade fit, since we don’t see the pieces there to entice the Cubs into actually sending Bryant to the Rangers? Well, that’s still true, but they’re back:
  • What about an attractive trade partner like the Braves? After they signed Marcell Ozuna, it kinda felt like their urgency to go after Bryant was going to drop precipitously. That’s still very possible. Maybe probable. But on his ESPN 1000 hit today, Jesse Rogers reported that he hears privately, despite the public reports, that the Braves are NOT out on Bryant. Keep in mind, the signing of Ozuna didn’t take away a spot for Bryant if the Braves really wanted to go balls out on their lineup. They could simply bring in Bryant to play third base, and send out – for example – youngster Austin Riley, who is otherwise set to play third base after being displaced by Ozuna.
  • Bruce Levine writes about the Bryant trade possibilities, and he also includes the Braves. From Levine’s perspective, the Braves might want to include Ender Inciarte in any deal for Bryant to help the Braves offset what is already going to be a (for them) monstrous payroll. We’ve talked about Inciarte before, and as far as salary dumps go, you could do a lot worse. He’s owed $16.4 million over the next two years (including an option buyout), but his AAV for luxury tax purposes is just $6 million. He was all kinds of injured last year, but he’s consistently very good defensively, runs well, and hits just under league average. Would you sign him to his current deal? Nah. Would you take him as a salary dump if it meant getting a much more significant prospect return? Of course. The Cubs could use him as a 4th/5th outfielder anyway.
  • Levine also mentions familiar faces as possible suitors: Dodgers, Phillies, Nationals.
  • A miscellaneous thought as Padres and Dodgers fans are breathlessly awaiting updates on the Mookie Betts rumors: it’s good that the Cubs got this Bryant decision in before Betts was dealt just in case the Padres and Dodgers wanted to make a stronger offer for Bryant as an alternative to Betts. At least now, those conversations can be had before Betts is dealt. That’s all I’m saying.
  • (Relatedly, Jon Heyman reports that the Red Sox seem “more serious than ever” about dealing Betts. So stay tuned.)
  • Lastly, just to button up that any trade talks that happen aren’t about bitterness on either side:
  •  

    written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

    Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

    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...

    Why Craig Counsell Wanted Miles Mastrobuoni on the Cubs’ Bench

    I don't know why Miles Mastrobuoni bugs some folks, but it's probably heavily-weighted toward his small-sample, bad-batted-ball-luck start last year, and that time he didn't dive while playing in right field. It can be hard to shake initial impressions, I...

    Kinda Sounds Like Craig Counsell May Have a Set Top Three in the Batting Order

    New Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has said, generally, his batting order philosophy is the very simplistic (and very correct): just get your best hitters the most at bats. Sure, there's some play in that to set up good match-ups,...

    Los Angeles Dodgers Signing Will Smith to a TEN-YEAR Extension

    The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it again. And by it, I mean they have signed a funkily-structured contract that is going to leave some folks annoyed. The Dodgers are extending catcher Will Smith on a DECADE-long deal with a...

    The Stretch: 2024 MLB Season Preview

    On Monday, during a team-building conversation with some of the Bleacher Nation and Betsperts Media Group folks, we discussed sports—shocking, I know—and Brian Twining asked the group what their favorite sport was. For me, it's baseball. There's no debate. I...

    We Have to Talk About Some of the “Deals” the Cubs Sat Out in Free Agency

    This week, in a conversation with Jon Greenberg at The Athletic, Cubs President Jed Hoyer made an honest and sober (but also moderately disappointing) admission about the 2024 Chicago Cubs: "We need to perform probably at or a little bit...

    The Chicago Cubs Are Reportedly Now Worth Over $5 Billion

    Given all the tumult in the baseball broadcasting world, and the uncertain future for that portion of revenues, you'd be forgiven for expecting that MLB franchise valuations would slow their recent surge. But, according to Sportico at least, you'd be...

    Reds Second Baseman Matt McLain Had Shoulder Surgery

    The injury to Matt McLain's shoulder issue obviously wound up being worse than he and the Cincinnati Reds had been hoping. The damage to his left (non-throwing) labrum ultimately required surgery: https://twitter.com/m_sheldon/status/1772993402604339478 When the hope is that a guy can...

    Latest News

    Today’s March Madness Schedule: Updated Bracket, TV Channels for Every Game

    The Sweet 16 is here as March Madness brings us some great matchups tonight! Check out today's March Madness schedule along with game times, TV channels, and more as the college basketball season's biggest games continue. The Sweet 16 Begins...

    2024 MLB Mock Draft: Opening Day Mock Draft Projections

    Happy Opening Day! As the new baseball season begins, and hope is present among most fanbases, why not take a look at a new 2024 MLB Mock Draft? Various mock drafts meticulously analyze potential picks, emphasizing the abundance of talent...

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    Pac-12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 28

    There is one game featuring a Pac-12 teams on the Thursday postseason college basketball schedule, the Clemson Tigers versus the Arizona Wildcats. Make sure you check out below for today's best bets!How to Bet on Pac-12 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best Pac-12...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Tampa Bay Rays are moneyline favorites (-135) to begin their season with a home win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on MLB Network.Tampa Bay's Zach Eflin gets the start, and he'll go...

    Astros vs. Yankees Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Houston Astros start their season as home favorites (-156) in a matchup with the New York Yankees on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on YES from Minute Maid Park.Framber Valdez will get the ball for Houston while New...

    Tigers vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Detroit Tigers begin their season as -178 favorites in a road tilt against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on BSDET.Detroit's Tarik Skubal gets the start, and he'll go against Chicago's Garrett Crochet.Tigers vs....

    Reds vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Cincinnati Reds open their season as -153 favorites in a home matchup with the Washington Nationals on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on MASN2.Frankie Montas will get the ball for Cincinnati while Washington will counter with Josiah Gray.Reds...

    Dodgers vs. Cardinals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (1-1) will look to Will Smith, red hot after a four-hit game, to lead them in a matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals (0-0) on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET on BSMW. The Dodgers are -235...

    Marlins vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Miami Marlins are moneyline favorites (-132) to begin their season with a home win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on Sportsnet PT.Jesus Luzardo will get the ball for Miami while Pittsburgh will counter...

    more cubs news