TODAY: “The Mets and Cubs have not spoken in several weeks,” according to SNY’s Andy Martino, and it doesn’t seem likely that the Mets will reignite negotiations about Bryant now that Lindor has been acquired. However, there is “increasing industry chatter” that Bryant could be traded somewhere “as soon as this weekend.”
JANUARY 7: With one blockbuster trade already in the books for the Mets, could another headline-grabbing swap be in the works? The Mets and Cubs have had “recent trade talks” concerning a possible Kris Bryant deal, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
The specific timing of these discussions isn’t known, and it could be possible that the Mets were only looking at Bryant as a fallback option if the Francisco Lindor trade didn’t happen. Still, given how aggressive the Amazins have been in seeking out high-level talent this offseason, acquiring Bryant on top of Lindor, Carrasco, Trevor May, James McCann, and any potential other additions can’t be ruled out.
Bryant is projected to earn $18.6MM in his final year of salary arbitration — like Lindor, Bryant is another high-salaried player who is a season away from free agency. While Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer claimed that payroll considerations weren’t “the focus” of Chicago’s recent deal of Yu Darvish to the Padres, multiple reports have indicated that the Cubs are trying to cut salary, and that pretty much every expensive veteran of note is a potential trade candidate.
While the Cubs surely want a good return back for trading the former NL MVP, the Mets could have an edge in trade talks (at least in terms of the quality of prospects surrendered) simply by offering to take Bryant’s entire contract off of Chicago’s books. Hypothetically, the Mets could also send an experienced Major League player back to the Cubs as part of a Bryant trade, akin to how the Cubs picked up Zach Davies from San Diego in the Darvish deal.
Moving an experienced player would help make Bryant a cleaner fit into New York’s everyday lineup, as the Mets have projected starters at each of his four potential positions — first base (Pete Alonso), third base (J.D. Davis), and the corner outfield spots (Michael Conforto, Dominic Smith). It’s safe to assume that Conforto isn’t going anywhere, and the Mets aren’t likely to move Alonso and his four years of team control for just one year of Bryant. Davis and Smith are more plausible trade candidates, particularly if the Mets were to also sign George Springer and create a further outfield surplus. Signing Springer could also turn current center fielder Brandon Nimmo into a trade chip, but the Mets could probably like to hang onto Nimmo as a backup option up the middle.
Bryant’s trade value, of course, is further impacted by his underwhelming 2020 performance. Hampered by multiple nagging injuries all year, Bryant appeared in only 34 of Chicago’s 60 games and hit .206/.293/.351 with four home runs in 147 PA. That small sample size doesn’t and shouldn’t erase Bryant’s superstar numbers from 2015-19, but it certainly doesn’t help the Cubs in their attempt to get maximum value back for one year of Bryant’s services.
Tough offseason for Cubs fans lmao
Cubs to trades anyone making a bucks for used bubble gum
Yep, if Bryant is traded, might as well start the fire sale. They won’t be getting much for him.
Unless the Cubs add another piece to the trade conversation who might appeal to the Mets. The Indians adding Carlos Carrasco to the Francisco Lindor deal helped them in acquiring a better package of young talent. The Cubs adding Victor Caratini in their Yu Darvish deal with the Padres likely did the same.
Good point what would they want back. Not seeing the Cubs putting in another player unless it is a low level prospect.
This is gossip. Kris Bryant does not improve NYM. Javier Baez does. NYM needs a CF.
There isn’t a lineup in MLB that a healthy pre-2020 Kris Bryant wouldn’t improve. Thanks to his athleticism and former manager Joe Maddon, Bryant also has the flexibility to play all three OF positions in addition to his normal 3B position. Playing more OF and less 3B might also help keep Bryant healthier as his career continues.
Obtaining Bryant would preclude the Mets from any further big moves and they’d still need a CF. They don’t need him. As a Mets fan, I say pass on Bryant.
JD is a horrific fielder. So yes, Mets can use an upgrade.
Baez doesn’t play the outfield but Bryant does.
Not CF however.
@garry That’s just a ridiculous comment on your part. A healthy Kris Bryant is a Top 30 player in the MLB. He literally makes all 30 ball clubs better with elite offensive production and an ability to play multiple positions on the fly.
While that’s true, I’m a Mets fan and I have always said I’d take a title the way the Marlins got theirs. They went all in and then sold off. They had a few post season runs and broke their curse. I’m sure most of them 10 years ago would have signed off on that.
thats true, though recently it feels the cubs sold their soul for a WS. my buy in back in ’12 was Theos comment about waves of talent and always being competitive
They have been competitive. Waiting to see if they will intentionally take another step backwards again this offseason.
they traded Darvish and their shopping most of their best players. the phrasing when they got hired was that we would have the infrastructure in place to avoid the need to tear down again
IACub I remember hearing theo say the same thing. Unfortunately theo made several trades and free agent signings that overall were failures. I think many cub fans wish many deals never occurred because quite possibly the cubs would be able to internally fill the roster with home grown talent. While having the ability to capitalize on depth and surplus more effectively than theo and company did. A lot of trades and free agent signings you could point to ultimately caused this for the cubs.
So much for the dynasty talk we’ve heard from cub fans relentlessly
Are you going to NY with your son?
Geography is not your strong suit, themed.
Why compare your team to Loria’s Marlins? Loria misled fans and local gov’t to fund a new stadium. He had a fire sale twice after winning the WS. Can’t imagine new ownership doing that if the Mets win it all next season especially in NYC. Their first in-season priority should be extending Lindor.
Huizenga was owner for first championship. And sold players shortly after. Wasn’t all Loria.
Keep in mind this is Nightengale reporting. There’s nothing to this rumor at all.
Tough off season? Take away 2015 to 2020 and it has been a tough history for Cubs fans.
The only part that’s tough for me, is that they waited this long to start doing it. They traded too much talent and developed too little to stay legitimate contenders.
First, I love your user name.
Second, I completely agree that Chicago waiting entirely too long to start dealing players. I felt that the Cubs should have traded Quintana when they picked up Hamels option a few years back and should have dealt Zobrist a year prior to his free agency.
I felt the strength of the Cubs organization during the rebuilding years was finding value in players that were either struggling or coming off down years (Jason Hammels, Scott Feldman) and using defensive metrics to play to other pitchers strengths such was the case with Garza and Dempster. They should have always targeted a guy like that for the fourth or fifth starter role as opposed to shelling out large and long term contracts to guys like Chatwood and keeping Quintana for too long.
I feel the keys to prolonged success is being able to trade player A for a prospect or two then sign player B to replace player A. The Cubs could have easily done that after 2017 but kept riding out the current roster for whatever reason, blind faith perhaps.
Irregardless, I like the fact that Hoyer was able to get out from under Darvish’s contract a year early before a year late. I like the talent they amassed. They don’t have to trade any of the “core” (if you can call it that anymore) because they can issue QO to all three at the end of the season or trade them mid-season. Frankly, extending any of the three now would be a mistake as all the leverage would be in the players hands. Go ahead and let all reach free agency and let the QO hang over their heads (especially in Rizzo’s case) and use it as leverage to sign them to new deals. Also, let the market play out this off season and see if you can get them to sign for less money than initially requested.
Not sure I agree with “all the leverage would be with the players”. Rizzo probably wants to stay in Chicago. Bryant’s value is down and he’s not likely to get near as rich a deal as he would’ve gotten a couple of years ago. Baez took a huge step back at the plate last season and the FA market for SS will be unreal after this season. Any of those guys could have a huge year and get their leverage back, but right now? Not so much.
Drasco – Don’t say irregardless!!!
As a Cubs fan, this is at least one thing I can agree with you on. “Irregardless ” is not a word.
That’s fine. Our last few tough offseasons helped us build a championship team
Breaking News: everyone to the Mets
Except for those who go to the Padres
Lmao
But, but but….the Jays…..The Jays are interested in everyone!
I think I’m picking up sarcasm but obviously being in on a guy means very little. I do think the Jays will make a move or two and content in the NL East but they’ll need a number of guys if the playoff aren’t expanded.
Jays fans have long ago given up any hope.
They may be interesting but they are gun shy
Since you have your sarcasm meter on high alert try this one.
News Flash – The Jays happen to play in the AL East, so unless you know something the rest of us don’t I don’t see them contending AT ALL.
Seth, i dont think the Jays have a chance at all to contend in the NL East. Lol
best freudian slip, with the Jays being content with where they are
The Jays finished 1 game behind the Yankees last season and the Rays have taken a step back.. with a couple quality additions the Jays will be contenders.
Mets are going from the Nyet’s to the Gets all in one day
quotable
It seemed logical to me the cubs would go for Lindor and Bryant. The one year deals just really beneficial right now.
Wat-
The Mets don’t need another high priced player that’s a free agent at the end of the year
Mets offer Bobby Bonilla deals to extend Lindor and Bryant then sign Bauer on a Bobby Bonilla deal…
So you want the Mets to have four players on the payroll until the end of time?
The Mets are trying to copy the Padres this offseason. I’m glad another team is actually trying to win, instead of just complaining about losing money.
Honestly now let’s say I’m a billionaire and half my money goes into owning a professional sports team.. Do I really give a s*** if I lose 10% a year to win a championship when I have way more to fall back on? It’s amazing that the top 15-20 financed teams in this league don’t apply that philosophy annually. Life’s not about how much youre worth!
You have to remember, rich people did not become rich by being agreeing to lose 10% a year. Rich people also want to remain rich, so again, agreeing to lose 10% per year will not keep them rich.
That’s true, and I don’t think owners should be obligated to lose money every year. However, I think that if a team has a legitimate chance to win a championship, then the owner should be willing to take a loss in exchange for playoff success.
If you only think of it as the owner losing money I guess you could squint and get that to make sense, but a business CAN’T be run that way. It’s not just a matter of the owners and players to consider. There’s literally hundreds of employees who need to get paid, accountants, lawyers, consultants, maintenance folks, computer people… the idea that a billion dollar business can choose to run at a loss and survive is very naive, but half of fandom believes it.
How very nice of you to spend other people’s money.
99% of the employees the owner employs are not athletes. If a team loses money, people lose jobs.
That’s probably why you’re not a billionaire.
A lot of folks have overlooked a comment Cohen made in the days after the Mets sale closed. He said he expects he will lose roughly $400 million in the next three years.
In 2020, Cohen’s daytime job made him $1.6 billion.
the padres, famous for inventing acquiring players
When you die, you don’t get a trophy stating your net worth from baseball revenue. But a championship title remains embedded in the history of the game.
Maybe this will the year when the team that wins the offseason also claims a World Series title. The Mets and Padres are off to good starts in this year’s competition with both still looking to add pieces in order to make a championship more realistic.
Hopefully my White Sox, known for winning an offseason or two, can join the fun before the winter is over.
WTF! Either they’re banking on the DH coming back, or they’re trading Alonso. WTF METS!
What does one have to do with the other? Just curious
Well if they got Bryant then they’d have to… I’m an idiot lmao. I was thinking about Bryant playing LF for the Mets, and idk why lmao. He’d be playing 3rd if he was on the Mets, not LF.
I was thinking of the logjam of Smith, Alonso, and Bryant, but just ignore that. Bryant won’t create a logjam. Nevermind.
Dh needs to stay for good, can’t just tease the fans. It was so refreshing not having to look thru the blankets watching a pitcher try to hit.
Bryant can play 3rd he is an upgrade on Davis. Mets farm was relatively untouched from earlier trade so it’s possible they could make a move now.
If the Mets are willing to pay the full salary then he won’t cost them much in prospects.
If they did this trade, one has to ask if making all of these moves would in fact improve the team? I’m of the belief that teams should plug obvious holes and not go after pieces for the sake of doing something.
As a NY baseball fan (Yankees first, Mets second – though it use to be the opposite for me), I’m starting to get a bit concerned that the new ownership group is trying to get a few top pieces as if this will solve their problems. It never really seems to work out when teams are remade over the offseason.
While Lindor is different and good for the Mets, all of these potential other moves are getting me a bit nervous. Don’t create potential new problems. Solve the issues you have.
They need a 3rd base glove.
Davis is horrible.
3B is an obvious hole though?
Cant be taken seriously w the fan flip flop thing !
Sorry
It would have to include D Smith.
Rizzo is a free agent after this year so expect a mid-season trade and Dom would take over for the next 3 years after.
JD Davis would make the most sense to go as well to replace Kris’s fielding range of 3B/OF.
JD would also be under arbitration for 4 more years.
Rebuilding GMs want this type of control on good players.
Not sure what prospects would be needed for a player who can opt for free agency next year. Still feels like a pipe dream to me.
D Smith is better than Bryant, so I doubt it will.
Ha HA HA!
Here are Smith’s career numbers .258/.317/.494/.811 with a 117 ops+. That’s including two 50 game seasons in 17′ and 18′ when he was way below average. If you look at 19′ and 20′ (the seasons he’s popped off in) you get a slash line of .299/.366/.571/.937 with a ops+ 150.
Now let’s take Bryant’s last 4 years (almost double the games of Smith), and you have a slash line of .278/.383/.498/.881 with an ops+ 129. Now if you only look at his 19′ and 20′ you get a .267/.365/.488/.853 with an ops+ 121.
Still a dang good player, but Smith is better than him now. He’ll definatley not be in a Bryant trade.
Rangers29 and Darkside compete daily for the biggest moron here.
Ok kiddo, go get some pop-tarts and then come back cause you’re gonna be seeing a lot of this moron.
Bryant will be playing for that monster contract next year. If I had the choice between smith and Bryant for 2021, it’s Bryant all day. In a trade Smith obviously worth more.
No he isn’t.
I’d agree but it’s closer than you think. The league has figured Bryant and that crazy uppercut swing out, to an extent, and his defense is getting worse.
Where’s Smith’s Rookie of the Year award and Most Valuable Player award? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Years ago dude. It’s what have you done lately, especially when you’re 29 years old.
Not sure where Smith is gonna get the 600 PA’s if there’s no DH but I certainly wouldn’t trade him for Bryant. I’m firmly of the opinion that Dom’s last two seasons are who he is going forward, which makes him potentially the best hitter on the team.
Mets will start Smith in left field and 1b when they play in AL parks. They might give Smith some days off if they add a right handed hitting left fielder. That bat would most likely currently be Davis with someone else playing 3b on those days.
Smith has been a completely different player since being diagnosed with sleep apnea and losing weight. I just don’t see the Mets trading him unless it’s a blockbuster.
Smith may or may not be better than Bryant, but he should absolutely have more value right now, in terms of upside and years of control.
He should have said Dominic has more trade value than Bryant, as does J.D.
Wouldnt say better but yea has more value today def…
KB wont fetch much but it has to be more the the QO so there is a range that needs to be met, cant just be pure money drop
Doubt cubs get any talented major league ready guys. Just find the Mets highest rated 15 year old and eat the salary and it’s probably a done deal. If Mets are out on springer this is a good way to bring in a big bat for cheap. Cubs fight to contend with Pittsburgh for last.
Smith is 25. Bryant is 29. Less than a 10% chance Smith gets traded in a Bryant deal, unless there are other pieces coming back. Smith doesn’t have an solid role unless there is a DH but if you hit, you don’t sit. Trading Smith wouldn’t be a win now move.
Mets are the new Yankees. “Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”
It’s seriously pretty exciting for baseball.
No it’s not. Just a crappy large market team with a long history of losing trading for overrated veterans that will be gone in a year anyway.
Don’t be salty buddy. You can still talk about all your rings. Even the ones you were never alive for. It’s allowed.
Lindor is not overrated and the Mets will have him signed to a long term deal within a week. If not a couple days.
@seamholic one never knows. look at the Phillies and Realmuto. Some guys just want to go to free agency.
I’d imagine that the contract that gets him to sign now, instead of testing free agency, is not one that’d be considered a positive for the Mets.
Would it be greedy to say I’d be very satisfied with a Hendricks/Hand, JBJ, and Kluber finish to the offseason? Bryant would be amazing but they’re pretty close to the LT as is and they’ve mentioned not wanting to go over it in the first year.
I would go for hader, jbj, marisnick, and kluber.
If the Mets do that I will wear a Steve Cohen is my daddy shirt To truist park the next time the Mets Play the braves. I don’t see the Mets making all of them moves, at least I hope not lol.
What about JBJ J Wilson Garrett Richards – Thats how id end
Just in: Angels trade Mike Trout to the Mets for a pack of gum and a brown paper bag.
Pretty sure the Mets kicked in Hubie Brooks and Dick Schofield in the deal
I assume this was an alternative to Lindor, not an addition.
Cohen might be made of money, but adding Bryant on top would be a whole lot of big contract extensions next year between Bryant, Lindor, Conforto and Syndergaard. Even just the three already on the team now is gonna be a massive chunk of change.
Stroman’s a FA as well.
The Mets send a case of Sabrett hot dogs and a couple dozen bagels from Astoria Bagel Shop to the Cubs for Bryant. That should seal the deal.
The Phillies, discount shoppers as usual, will settle for Kris’ brother Lane.
Phillies have been in the top 1/4 spenders this century
What more do you want?
A team worth that much money.
Ha, thats def fair jab but you cant get mad at the money thats been allowed to spend- Phillies use to run a top 5 payroll in the Utley Howard Hamels era year after year and they are around top 10 now
It’s a riff on the Phillies’ pattern of getting the wrong brother: Jeremy Giambi, Ken Brett, Mike Maddux, Mark Leiter, even Vince DiMaggio.
Bryant then Bauer and maybe hendriks? That’d be a sweet offseason!
Even though I’m a Brewer fan I could see a move help both teams like a possible combination of Bryant and prospects for Nimmo, Davis, and Smith. Then the Mets sign Springer. Now I know people say that type of trade would be wrong but if Mets get to the WS then it’s worth it. Plus it would so keep the Cubs very competitive.
I can’t see anyway the cubs trade prospects for mlb talent after the way this offseason started. They trade Bryant and their payroll will be well into the bottom half of the league with no indication of any spending. As of right now it looks like Hoyer has no plans to compete this year.
Unless they could get him for a really good deal, I’d rather they focus on another SP or even continuing to pursue Hand. Carrasco is great, but Thor/Peterson/Stroman all have question marks, either missing a large chunk of time or being inexperienced.
From a Mets fan standpoint…no thank you. I’d rather see them continue pursuing Springer. Bryant would only be here for a year and at what cost? JD Davis is not a great fielder but he can hit. Find a late inning defensive replacement for him.
I agree. I’m not a Mets fan but I can’t see why everyone is ready to Move JD Davis. He was incredible in 2019 and wasn’t too bad last year.
Bob Nightengale is to rumors what Tim Tebow is to baseball.
Blue Jays: always the Brides maid, never the bride. Sums up their off-season so far.
I don’t see more than either a JD Davis or Nimmo for Bryant. And the Cubs would probably have to send cash back.
Bryant is the wrong focus after getting Lindor and Carrasco. They should do the following to finish the offseason:
*Bring in Brad Hand and a couple of mid relief options such as Darren O’Day and Jake McGee to solidify their bullpen, and if they’re really feeling crazy, bring in Liam Hendricks.
*I think George Springer will decline big time for whoever signs him so I’d avoid… Instead, sign some scrappy veterans who play good defense and are playoff tested for the OF… personally, I’d target Kike Hernandez (who can help McNeil as their utility man and balance their left handed outfield).
* Sign Adam Duvall (to be their 4th OF, also help fill in for Nimmo and Smith against touch lefties). Or maybe sign Brantley to play left and trade Smith/Nimmo for a starter? Brantley, Nimmo and Conforto with Duvall and Kike as your other OF options would be super nice.
*Bring in one more veteran starter or like I said earlier, use Nimmo or Smith (preferably Smith) as a trade chip to bring one in. I know it’d be an inter division deal, but maybe Smith/Nimmo for Eliser Hernandez and Nick Neidhart? Gives the Mets to young quality rotation options and gives Miami a solid OF option.
If you guys get O’Day and Adam Duvall it would feel like a roundhouse kick to my tomahawk :(.
I would tend to agree with you about Bryant being the wrong focus and odds are the Cubs and Mets discussed KB prior to dealing for Lindor and Carassco.
I disagree with you about Springer. Nothing suggest Springer will regress anytime soon. He doesn’t strike out much for a power bat, his defense is very solid in CF (oddly worse in the corners), hits for a high average, takes walks, and he doesn’t have any obvious holes in his swing or approach. Springer and the Mets makes sense because the Mets lack a true Center Fielder.
If there is any move with the Cubs, it should be for Contreras. Bryant has had a very productive career to date, but that upper cut swing of his isn’t going to play well as he ages, especially outside of Wrigley.
I’d like to see the Mets let Davis get in a full spring training and focus on just playing 3b. He’s an exceptional hitter and, with every day at bats, could really be a big run producer.
I wouldn’t pay much for bryant. Mets don’t need him. He would be a defensive upgrade but Mets have some good bats.
Unless your willing to pony up the free agent $$’s if Bryant returns to normal stats…it’s not worth trading for him. There is no way Boras is going to let Bryant not go to free agency. If you are willing to chase him next year it makes sense to trade now and see if it gives you an advantage.
I would love to aquire him for just one year if it doesn’t cost me much prospect wise. He should be motivated to have a good year and if does take the comp pick and run. I have no desire to give him an extension.
Cubbies gotta Cub. Watch them get a bag of potato chips for Bryant.
The Cubs will have to throw in some cheese to move Bryant if they expect to get a decent player(s) in return. Whoever gets him isn’t gonna extend him to a new contract. He’s a one-year rental at best, and one with some injury issues.
With the Cardinals dormant; the Reds dumping; the Cubs dumping and the Pirates a perennial non-factor, the Brewers ought to step up, spend some cheese and take the NL Central.
No cheese but they take Ender to sweeten the pot –
Please get some damn pitching this time Chi
I see it in the next 7 days
I imagine these talks took place prior to todays Mets/Lindor trade
People stop drinking the koolaid this most likely not happening right now…bryant is a talented player but his value is to low right now….this just the sight trying drum up hits…any cubs rumors always bring big clicks…just like the contreas article neither likely right now teams understand where the cubs are right now and what they are trying to do…so yes they may try some really low ball offers or discussions chances are nothing happening right now especially with covid still looming…trade deadline more likely for cubs big name players when stuff settles down and possible rebounds happen
Ship him out… slide Baez to 3B and Hoerner at SS. (And yes, I’m a Cubs fan that drove to Cleveland for game 1 in 2016. I’m good with an overhaul. This team is going no where fast.)
Baez is an infielder. You’re wasting his talent putting him at 3rd. The smart move is 2B; keeps Baez injury free.
Why round you be wasting Baez’ talent as an infielder at 3b? You don’t keep a player injury free at 2b when turning double plays.
I also went to game one in Cleveland!
I don’t think you move Baez to third base, he has too much defensive value at short stop. Hoerner is a very good defender but he isn’t going to be at Baez’s level at short.
Personally, I do not think Hoerner is ready, he wasn’t ready last season and it was painfully obvious. He had a decent but unspectacular end of 2019. It was a couple game stretch that Hoerner was good, the rest of the time he looked like a guy that was called up from double A. Last season he continued to look like a guy who was called up from double A and needs more polish in the minors to work on his hitting.
I’m also not sure Baez is the long term solution at short stop. I completely believe he is better than his 2020 showing offensively but I hate his inconsistency at the plate. I don’t want to see the Cubs spend another 20 plus million a season on a 6-7 hitter which is honestly what Baez is.
Javier Baez is one of MLB’s most talented and gifted shortstops who still happens to be in the prime of his career. Moving him to 3B is ludicrous and suggesting that Nico Hoerner would be a better SS is just as silly. If the Cubs don’t dump any more salary this offseason I’m fine with them keeping Kris Bryant at 3B, Baez at SS, Hoerner at 2B, Anthony Rizzo at 1B and Willson Contreras at C.
If the Cubs aren’t competitive in the NL Central by mid-summer then they should consider moving pending FA’s Bryant, Baez and Rizzo by the July 31st trade deadline when they will hopefully have more value. Contreras is the only veteran amongst those who has any plus trade value with two years of arbitration control remaining. If the Cubs deal him this offseason they will be scrambling to find a starting catcher. At this point, they might as well roll with what they have and see how things look by the All-Star break.
Who can definitively say that the Cubs can’t be competitive in their division? Perhaps by July, Tom Ricketts might actually authorize Jed Hoyer to add a piece or two rather than subtracting players. Moving Bryant, Baez or Rizzo now would be selling low. Waiting until July could be an entirely different scenario.
Baez has a TON of value still. Not sure that’s true if he has a pedestrian 2021, or gets hurt again.
Much as I hate the idea, I’d take Dom Smith for Bryant provided they took the salary too. The sooner they sell off the sooner we can build to be better.
lol
I dunno, might have to throw in Pete and or McNeil to sweeten the deal.
Dom Smith plus one or both of those guys for 1 year of Bryant? No way
Was playing a lil sarcastaball. I wouldn’t give up 3 years of smith for 1 of bryant. Cubs would get a guy who I couldn’t protect in next rule 5 draft or a lotto ticket at best. I will call their bluff, what you gonna do Cubs, pay him 20 million?
Bryant and Davies or Happ maybe? For Davis, Smith, Kilome. Two solid major Leaguers with a lot of control left plus a pitcher with potential.
Guess they have all of their top prospects to trade since they gave the indians peanuts and cracker jacks for two all stars
I agree, everyone is talking about Lindor but Cookie is the steal here. You get a legit #2 starter for 2 or 3 years (he’s got an option on his contract for 2023.) For Andres Gimenez , Rosario, and 2 prospects who are too young to know what they are. One has never played a professional game and the other has only played in rookie ball. Gimenez is the only player I like and he is really just seen as a glove first Shortstop. Big win for the Mets!
Remember the last time the mets went nuts and bought and traded for everyone, even a manager..they got picked to win 100 games
They lost 100 instead..1993..
Oh because 1993 is a good example lol
Except that didn’t happen. The only players the Mets brought in that off-season were Joe Orsulak, Tony Fernandez, Mike Maddux, and Frank Tanana. Jeff Torberg started the year as manger and was fired in may and replaced by Dallas Green, so they didn’t trade for a Manager either. Yes the Mets were expected to contend, from 1984-1990 they finished first or second in the NL East seven times but they didn’t try to buy or trade for “everyone”
Bobilla ,saberhagen
Then it was 92 with Bonilla, saberhagen, eddie murray, 92,93 either way they were picked to win big and lost big….side note i was at the last home game of 93.. a guy named eric hillman who was 6 ft 10 and wasnt that good pitched against the cardinals rookie named allen watson ( a cant miss bust) his friends were there shirtless in the frigid temp. Pd 15. Face value for tix behind mets dugout..game ends and mets throw hats in the crowd,,i catch hillmans and still have it to this day….i also made tv because i brought a sign that read ” thank god its over”…
If they get Springer Nimmo doesn’t move to the bench, he moved to LF. It’s tough to sit Smith’s bat, especially with the season he put up last year, and the DH in the NL would fix this, but they need to keep Nimmo in the lineup. When it comes to getting on base, which is a big help to scoring runs, he’s not just good he’s elite. One of the top OBP performers in the league. His glove just hasn’t played well in CF thus far.
If they get springer ,than nimmo or smith is most likely out the door
No. Springer adds to what they have, gives them a true CFr… he doesn’t push anyone out the door. Nimmo is their LFr, Smith the DH or bench.
No dh,and the bench??? A guy that was top 10 in hits sits?
This must have been pre Lindor trade interest?
Do the Mets even have a couple top 50 prospects. Ready or close to ready for tbe ML. More specifically pitchers. Or maybe a LF.
Have you seen recent trades. Bryant is getting you a couple top 200 prospect lol
Seems odd this article zeros in on the Mets and chances they go get KB.
Bryant is one of the most overrated players in MLB.
If the Cubs are trying to cut salary, how about Bryant and Hendricks for Smith and Davis? Then the Mets go after Bradley Jr. rather than Springer? Nimmo in LF, Bradley bats 8th-9th. Pop Hendricks between two hard throwers in the rotation to mess up the opposing team’s timing. For 2021, a good portion of this is going to be paid for with Cano money.
And even if Bryant and Lindor don’t sign extensions, hopefully the Mets do well enough in 2021 that they’re an attractive destination for any other free agents in 2022.
Ik Hendricks has a lot of value but I don’t feel comfortable trading smith for a 3/4 starter. Even if he cheap and controllable. Value wise it probably works but Mets wouldn’t be smart to do it.
I would trade Alonso before smith
Cubs should keep Bryant. See if he amounts to much this year and try to compete. I keep hearing and seeing that they will lose him for nothing. if they do not trade him. Why? You got revenue, wins, and most importantly an WS title with this guy. He did really well when he was in his good years. Let him see if he can produce in a walk year for him. Then decide to sign or let him walk at the end of the year. If he produces back to MVP form you are winning games again and competing in the playoffs. Same with Baez and Rizzo. Next year the FA class is better and their will be good money off the books for the Cubs. They can then decide which way they want to go in FA and also assess the farm. All while still trying to win. This is a chess game, and most of you all see only the first moves.
Cubs lose Bryant, Baez, Rizzo, Kimbrel to FA this year, but they also lose around 60-70 million in salary with those guys. Couple that with Davies also gone and that is around 80 million off the books in 2021.
Then you go after who you want to keep or someone else. All while still competing in 2021 season.
It is also an audition year for Alzolay, Marquez, Abbott, and a few others that are in the MLB range for production. Alzolay looked good to end the year.
Hendricks, Davies, Mills, Alzolay, and then 1 more guy for the rotation right now is intriguing
Rizzo isn’t leaving. Baez isn’t leaving. Both not only want to stay in Chicago. They’re the face of the franchise. More so Rizzo. They both need to be extended. Other than pitching that’s a priority for the cubs. They just save 68 mil just on Schwarber and Yu. They can easily get them extended. 12-18 mil a year each. Rizzo should be getting more than 16mil. Top 3 1B in baseball. Maybe even the best. Freddie Freeman is right behind him.
Freddie Freeman is so much better than Rizzo in every facet at this point, it’s obvious… I’ll go just w OPS+ Last five years… 154-128 freeman… I love Rizzo and still solid but not on Freeman’s level at this point
Rizzo is the best defensive act baseman in baseball. He had a down year offensively in 2020 but so did lot of otherwise very good players like Yelich. Sample size caveat. I’ll give you that Freeman is better offensively.
Meanwhile, I’m the worst typer. Hopefully you get my point.
He’s just better in overall value… if you want to use WAR, he’s got him there too… I like Rizzo, but he’s not elite anymore and Freeman is
Still would take Freeman.
Typical Cubbie fan comment here… highly delusional.
If the Mets, or anyone, were to trade for Bryant in the preseason, they would also be in line for draft pick compensation if they made a QO which was refused. Not quite sure how to figure the value of those Competitive Balance picks.. But the deal would effectively be “KB plus pick” for whomever. Same with Lindor; if he walks as a FA it will be the Mets and not the Indians getting a extra draft pick.
shocker
Once Bryant and Contreras are traded, the Cubs will be left with only Rizzo, Baez, Heyward, and Hendricks from the 2016 team.
They could extend Rizzo , Contreras and Baez and still be in a very good payroll situation. I really hope they do All 3. Offering Contreras a 5 year deal right now seems like a no brainer.
Bryant to the dodgers
This actually kinda makes sense for LAD as a Turner replacement. I feel like the whole reason they haven’t re-signed Turner is that he wants a longer term deal and they don’t want to get locked into that, so maybe Bryant being a rental is actually a plus for them.
LAD is also one of the few franchises that’s probably willing/able to take on that kind of salary too.
If they can get Turner at 2 years they will sign. If not Bryant would be a backup choice
Mets Should get Bryant
Davis cannot field.
What if Lindor tears a hammy in spring training?
Then hes officially a met
Mets will not trade for Bryant. First the Cubs wanted the Mets catching prospect, Francisco Alvarez. Uh, no. Not for one year. Bryant would be a one year $18M rental. No way they re-sign him especially given Lindor, Conforto, Syndergaard and Stroman are all FAs at the end of the season. On top of that a new CBA is needed at the end of the 2021 season. No one has any idea how that is going to look.
Cubs will trade him but it won’t be the Mets. By the way, what the hell is going on in Chicago? Not exactly a small market team.
Milking the cash cow… it’s a thing in Chicago.
Ricketts the owner bought a bunch of property and did renovations and without fans he is not making a dime on the billions dollars he spent.
Don’t feel too bad for MLB owners. The lost revenues count towards tax deductions. The financial system in the US is tailor made for wealthy asset owners.
Syndergaard and stroman will probably be ex mets in 2022
I wonder if Kendricks will be available since Chc is apparently having a fire sale
Everyone on their roster is available. I certainly didn’t like the return for Yu so I hope Hoyer does better next time tho only Contreras would seem to be worth as much or more than Darvish was. A catcher who can hit and play solid D with 2 years control and a reasonable salary? That’s gold my friend.
Somewhere probably won’t have to give up much. Cubs get to dump salary and somewhere gets hope & a need for a flux capacitor.
Wholly aggressiveness Batman. Mets taking everyone. Super team.
Cubs should just hold on to Bryant and hope he rebounds and boosts his trade value then flip him at the deadline if they can
Someone should remind the Cubs they don’t have the leverage here. Whoever wants Bryant can pivot to other options and be fine.
The down year for Bryant was more that just injury and a shortened season.
The Blue Jays might be a team that is contributing to the “increasing industry chatter” that Bryant could be traded somewhere “as soon as this weekend.” Toronto was rumored to be the runner-up in the Francisco Lindor sweepstakes and reportedly had a better offer on the table than the Mets with more high upside prospects involved. The Indians chose the Mets offer because they were seeking more MLB ready talent.
Of course, the Mets trade also involved a controllable SP in Carlos Carrasco in addition to Lindor and his last remaining season of arbitration control. Kris Bryant alone wouldn’t return a similar trade package from the Blue Jays.
If a deal is struck between the Cubs and Blue Jays it could potentially be a blockbuster on the scale of the Lindor deal. That would happen if another reported Cubs player on the block is also included in the trade, Willson Contreras. Despite some young catching talent with Toronto, the Blue Jays are said to be one of the suitors for top FA catcher J.T. Realmuto. Toronto is also moving elite young slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from 3B to 1B making Bryant a natural fit at the hot corner in Toronto. These two Cubs players ought to command a similar package from the Blue Jays that they offered the Indians.
If the Cubs are indeed poised to trade Bryant and Contreras after already dealing Yu Darvish, Victor Caratini and non-tendering Kyle Schwarber, Jed Hoyer is looking at more than a reload or retool this offseason.
If I’m the Jays I ask for Kimbrel too. Allows them to keep one more prospect in a potential deal. Allows the Cubs to shed more payroll.
Contreras, Bryant, Kimbrel for Jansen and fill in the blanks.
So one headline is “recently” and the following day it states not in recent weeks. That’s terrible journalism.
I can see this happening. Cubs are unloading and Mets are reloading.
I don’t think rumors qualify as journalism. Also, some rumors take time to leak.