Cubs: 3 trade packages involving Kris Bryant

2. San Diego Padres

A trade with the Padres could work but Kris Bryant would likely be transferred to the outfield with third base and shortstop occupied by Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., respectively. Bryant in left field would be a great fit for San Diego with Wil Myers and Hunter Renfroe in center and right field, respectively.

I have the Cubs getting some help in a few areas on the roster with the Padres number two overall prospect, Taylor Trammell, originally drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. Trammell came over in the three-team deal that ultimately sent Trevor Bauer to Cincinnati.

Trammell is projected to be ready next season and the speedy outfielder is primarily a contact hitter with some pop in his bat. He spent all of 2019 in Double-A, albeit for different teams, and slashed a combined 0.234/0.340/0.349 with 12 doubles, 4 triples, 10 home runs, 43 RBI, and 20 stolen bases in 126 games. If you recall, he was named the Futures Game MVP in 2018 when he homered and tripled and would be an ideal candidate for the leadoff position considering how well he gets on-base and potential to steal a bag or two.

The Cubs could greatly benefit from potential ace Luis Patino who was signed during the 2016 international free agent period. Still just 20 years old, Patino spent most of 2019 at High-A but made his final two starts at the Double-A level. In 17 starts with High-A, Patino tossed 87.0 innings with 113 strikeouts and limited opponents to a 0.192 batting average. His fastball runs as high as 98 mph and already has plus pitches in his curveball and slider.

In an attempt to find a replacement for Bryant, I have the Cubs landing Padres’ third base prospect, Hudson Potts. He’s not ranked within MLB’s Top 100 prospects but he has a lot of power in his bat, smashing 16 bombs in 107 games at the Double-A level this past season. Potts went straight from Rookie League to Double-A this year but I’d like to see his average come up a bit. In all, he slashed 0.227/0.290/0.406 with 23 doubles, 1 triple, 16 home runs, and 59 RBI. He needs to clean up his defense as he had a 0.966 fielding percentage last year but could be a prime candidate to be on the move given the length of Machado’s contract.

The Cubs could interchange prospects here with possibly number one prospect Mackenzie Gore coming over or flame thrower Adrian Morejon coming over instead.