This past week, rumors ticked up on both Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras, with things possibly reaching a crescendo this weekend for Bryant. Or both?
This is the kind of thing a connected reporter like Heyman sends out when he’s heard there’s a lot of smoke, but just doesn’t quite have any particular details in place:
Cubs continue to listen to offers for Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras. Angels make sense as possibility for Contreras due to Joe Maddon link as @Ken_Rosenthal said. Nothing more concrete known yet.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 9, 2021
And it’s not that uncommon for reporters to get tips on things that may be coming soon, or conversations that are heating up, etc. – situations where things are percolating, but the specifics are hard to come by, either because they aren’t finalized, or because the key decision-makers are staying very tight-lipped. The Cubs, historically, are VERY tight-lipped on transactions.
That is all to say, when Heyman puts out something like this, particularly when there’s already industry buzz, it feels like a nod that, yes, he’s heard some scuttlebutt, too. It isn’t merely an acknowledgement that the Cubs are listening, as they always have. It’s more.
Alert status: medium-high. More on Bryant and Contreras earlier today, if you missed it:
There is “Industry Chatter” That Kris Bryant Could Be Traded “As Soon As This Weekend” – https://t.co/W9QMydP5w1 pic.twitter.com/80vyBs8Vna
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) January 9, 2021
Are the Phillies Thinking Willson Contreras is the “Best Plan B” If They Don’t Re-Sign J.T. Realmuto? – https://t.co/iJwC9jWjgT pic.twitter.com/DyJEHzu6PC
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) January 9, 2021