Chicago Cubs: Three Kris Bryant trades post Mookie Betts deal

Bryant ends up in the Nation’s capital

It would seem that the National League East division lacks superstar third basemen. I suppose that’s what happens when both Donaldson and Anthony Rendon sign elsewhere.

Bryant had also been linked to the Washington Nationals earlier this offseason, but the team was unwilling to part with centerfielder Victor Robles. I can still see the Cubs and Nationals working out a deal, one that does not involve Robles, especially with the insight that the Betts’ trade provides.

I have the Cubs acquiring both infielder, Carter Kieboom, and right-handed pitcher, Jackson Rutledge, in this final trade package. Second base appears to be a carousel this upcoming season, with the latest rumor of the Cubs having an interest in free-agent Jason Kipnis. Kieboom would, theoretically, solve a lot of the team’s problems.

The 22-year-old made his Major League debut last year but played in only 11 games. Over a much larger sample size, Kieboom slashed .303/.409/.493 with 16 home runs and 79 RBI in 109 games at the Triple-A level. He was projected to become the everyday second baseman this year, but the signing of Starlin Castro muddied the waters.

Castro was inked to a two-year deal, and he’s not going to ride the bench. That would seem to make Kieboom available in a trade, and the Cubs would be happy to have him. As noted, the team parted ways with troubled infielder, Addison Russell, earlier in the offseason, and several candidates could end up taking the second base gig.

Rutledge, 20, was the 17th overall pick in last year’s draft and posted a 2.30 ERA in six starts for the Nationals’ Triple-A outfit to close out his year. There, he struck out 31 batters in 27.1 innings while limiting opponents to a .151 average. The big righty has tremendous velocity on his fastball, often hitting 100 mph and would provide the Cubs with a power pitcher in their future starting rotation.

On that note, Rutledge is not anticipated to make his Major League debut until 2022, so the Cubs would be left in limbo for a couple of years in terms of pitching help, but the upside is enormous.