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Chicago Cubs: What would a Kris Bryant trade look like?

By Ryan Sanders

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 20: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on July 20, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs won 6-5. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 20: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on July 20, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs won 6-5. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

The Nationals are looking to replace cornerstone Anthony Rendon so their interest in Bryant will likely persist but we need new parameters of a trade. Carter Kieboom is the next logical starting point for the Chicago Cubs to target in trade talks but his 60 FV ($55M value) may be too rich for Bryant. The Nationals always need bullpen help so maybe we can expand the trade to get even value.

Nationals Get

  • 3B Kris Bryant – $44M Surplus Value
  • RHP Adbert Azolay – 45FV -$8M FV
  • RHP Rowan Wick – $3M FV

Cubs Get

  • INF Carter Kieboom – $55M FV

In this scenario, the Nationals get a superstar in Bryant, an interesting prospect who had some success in 2019 and could be used in a variety of roles, and the live armed Rowan Wick who pitched solidly out of the Cubs bullpen down the stretch. The Cubs would receive Bryant’s replacement who would immediately plug in at third and come with six years of cheap team control.  Maybe this deal doesn’t interest either side, the Nationals don’t have much prospect depth outside of Kieboom so let’s get creative.

Nationals Get

  • 3B Kris Bryant – $44M Surplus Value

Cubs Get

  • OF Adam Eaton – $20M Salary, 2 years of control – Surplus Value In the Eye of the Beholder
  • RHP Mason Denaburg – 45FV – $8M FV
  • RHP Jackson Rutledge – 45FV -$8M FV
  • RHP Will Crowe – 45FV -$8M FV

Adam Eaton is the wild card here. He has put up 4 and 6 win seasons but injuries kept him down his first two seasons in DC. He put up 2.3 WAR in 151 games this season and comes with 1 guaranteed season and then a club option for 2021. Eaton would plug in at CF and would give the Cubs production out of the leadoff spot that has been a bit of a black hole the past few seasons.

The Chicago Cubs under Epstein have not been good at developing pitching prospects, conversely, Mike Rizzo has been excellent at trading them away.  Rizzo has jettisoned Lucas Giolito, Jesus Luzardo, and countless others.  This deal would send 3 of the Nats top pitching prospects with Will Crowe being just about Major League ready.  The Cubs aren’t getting a slam dunk prospect so they may be hesitant about this deal, but if they are high on these three guys could offer some framework for a deal.  If Bryant were to win his grievance, the math may line up closer to the second deal.

The Braves though would also have interested in preventing an elite 3B from going to DC and have the need for one as well.  What might they offer?

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