Kris Bryant Being Linked To The New York Mets, But Is A Trade Even Likely?

The Chicago Cubs are in a tough position at the halfway point of the season. The once-promising 2021 Cubs team had any real hope of being buyers squandered after an abysmal end of the first half. But does that meant they’re guaranteed to trade the likes of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez?

According to some reports, not necessarily.

Bryant would likely be the most sought after commodity on the Cubs right now. But with only a half season left on his contract, ESPN insider Jesse Rodgers has indicated that it might not even be worth it for Cubs GM Jed Hoyer to trade his best player.

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Could Kris Bryant Stay In Chicago?

“This is based on the last few days of being here and talking to people in the game,” Rogers said on ESPN 1000. “It’s not gonna be that easy to get back what Jed Hoyer wants [for] the position players. My new prediction is: Báez, Rizzo, and Bryant are on this team on August 1.”

Rodgers pointed to past returns from midseason deals as proof that you’re likely not going to get a haul that you’re looking for. However, if the Cubs were to part ways with Kris Bryant, the New York Mets could be a top suitor.

“That’s the team I keep hearing about. If the Mets give Jed what he’s looking for, he’ll trade [Bryant] there. But I think he might end up [staying in Chicago], get the qualifying offer, turn it down, and the Cubs will take that compensatory draft pick instead of some dreck they’re gonna get back in a trade.”

In today’s All-Star Game, the Chicago Cubs have closer Craig Kimbrel as their only other representative other than Bryant.

It would appear that it is far more likely that the club would part ways with Kimbrel before Bryant. There is virtually no chance that the rebuilding Cubs plan to bring back the aging closer. And we’ve seen teams oversell in order to bring back an elite closer at the trade deadline before.

The Chicago Cubs are likely not going anywhere in 2021. But that doesn’t necessarily mean Kris Bryant will be traded away like most people around the game seem to think.

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