Chicago Cubs: Three Kris Bryant trades post Mookie Betts deal

With the Red Sox trading Mookie Betts, might the Chicago Cubs be in a position to trade Kris Bryant before the regular season? Let’s look at three trades.

On Tuesday evening, Theo Epstein got a good look at what a team, desperate to clear payroll, could receive in a trade for one of their superstars. The Boston Red Sox sent Mookie Betts and David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-team deal with the Minnesota Twins involved and acquiring Kenta Maeda in that trade. Might the Chicago Cubs now make a move?

Betts, 27, was believed to have no interest in signing a long-term deal before he reaches free agency for the first time in his career. Even after being traded, the now-former Red Sox reiterated his desire to hit the open market after this season. As noted, the Red Sox received infielder, Alex Verdugo from the Dodgers, and hard-throwing righty, Brusdar Graterol, from the Twins. The trade cleared $43 million in payroll as the Dodgers are taking on half of Price’s salary.

The attention now shifts to the Cubs, who have been linked to several trade rumors this offseason that would send Kris Bryant to a potential suitor. Bryant, 28, filed a grievance against the Cubs after the 2015 season, claiming that the team manipulated his service time. His grievance hearing occurred this offseason, which the league disagreed with, and will keep him from becoming a free agent until after the 2021 season.

If Bryant had won his case, he would have hit the open market after this season, which would have put him a similar situation as Betts, thus reducing his value in a trade, in terms of what the Cubs could potentially get in return. However, two full seasons of Bryant could possibly be more attractive, and now would be the time to trade him if the Cubs’ front office plans to before Spring Training starts.

Let’s look at three trade packages that make sense.