After an offseason full of rumors and speculation, it’s officially happening: The Cubs are trading All-Star third baseman Kris Bryant.
According to INSERT NAME OF OUTLET + REPORTER, the Cubs are sending Bryant to INSERT TEAM in exchange for (a package of prospects OR a package of young assets OR a package of prospects and young assets).
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(Note: If Cubs announce trade, please put: “the cubs have traded bryant to INSERT TEAM NAME in exchange for a package of prospects OR a package of young assets OR a package of prospects and young assets, the club announced on INSERT DATE” as the second graf)
The trade ends the tenure of one of the most successful homegrown players in Cubs history. Bryant leaves the North Side a three-time All-Star who was a central figure in the Cubs snapping their 108-year championship drought in 2016.
In five seasons with the Cubs, Bryant posted a .284/.385/.516 slash line, 138 home runs, 403 RBIs and a 139 wRC+. He ranks 16th among Cubs all-time in OBP and 11th in home runs and figured to finish near or atop numerous offensive categories by the end of his career.
Bryant’s future remained cloudy for much of this offseason. The 28-year-old was willing to talk long-term extension with the Cubs, but according to NBC Sports Chicago’s David Kaplan, offers were below market value.
MLB
Thus, a trade loomed as a possibility — though not before a ruling was finalized on Bryant’s service time grievance. A hearing on the case occurred in October, but MLB arbitrator Mark Irvings didn’t make a ruling until late last month.
The Cubs were never going to trade Bryant for the sake of change. Team president Theo Epstein made it clear on multiple occasions this winter the Cubs didn’t *have* to make a big deal this winter. Although the past two seasons ended in disappointing fashion, the roster is still full of talent.
“What's most likely is status quo — it's hard to get long-term extensions done, it's hard to get trades done," Epstein said last month. "We have what we feel is a pretty good club. We're trying to compete this year and we're not in a position where we have to do anything."
That talented roster also has holes, and the group has underperformed since winning the 2016 World Series. The Cubs’ once vaunted position player core has gone through growing pains, all while the farm system hasn’t reloaded — and has failed to develop impact starting pitching. Big money free agents haven’t panned out, contributing to the team’s budget-driven decisions this winter.
The Cubs are trying to “serve three masters” this winter: competing in 2020, gaining financial flexibility/getting under the luxury tax and ensuring the club remains competitive long-term.
Losing Bryant hurts the Cubs in the short-term but shedding his $18.6 million 2020 salary and acquiring promising young assets helps the latter two goals.
The Cubs aren't better off in 2020 without Bryant, but they're good enough to remain competitive. The move is still an incredible risk, as the Cubs are losing a proven, MVP-caliber player in exchange for those they can only hope turn into difference makers. Even at their best, they may never come close to Bryant's production.
A Bryant trade may once have been unthinkable, but the Cubs are in baseball purgatory entering the 2020 season. Only time will tell what they got for Bryant; what they’ve lost is far clearer.