Nobody thought the Cubs were done this offseason after trading Yu Darvish and Victor Caratini to the Padres last week, but big names remain in the rumor mill.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Thursday the Cubs and Mets have had “recent trade talks” regarding third baseman Kris Bryant.
Just a day prior, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported the Angels are showing interest in Cubs catcher Willson Contreras.
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Trade rumors have long swirled around Bryant, 29, dating back two offseasons. He’s now entering his final year of club control, which coincides with the Cubs cutting payroll and retooling their roster with an eye on competing not only in 2021, but long term.
The Mets made a significant splash Thursday by acquiring All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and starter Carlos Carrasco from the Indians in a six-player deal. It’s at least unclear how that move affects their willingness to make another big trade, therefore taking on money and sending something of substance in return.
From a financial standpoint, the Mets have an extra $20 million to work with this winter after MLB suspended second baseman Robinson Cano 162 games in November for a positive performance enhancing drugs test. Bryant is projected to make around that number in arbitration this coming season.
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However, the Mets have been linked to another All-Star this winter — free agent outfielder George Springer — and signing him wouldn't require parting with any assets. There's also the fact Hoyer told NBC Sports Chicago last month a Bryant trade this winter isn’t “fait accompli.”
The Angels looked into acquiring Contreras, 28, last winter, and there’s a connection there with former Cubs manager Joe Maddon entering his second season as Los Angeles’ skipper. But the Cubs were “asking for the moon” for their backstop and those talks didn’t go anywhere.
Contreras, a two-time All-Star starter, is the Cubs’ most valuable trade chip among their position player core, with two years of club control remaining at a reasonable salary. Moving him would leave them with no big league catchers on their 40-man roster, however.
Hoyer last week called a recent report stating the Cubs were aggressively shopping Contreras “fictional.” That doesn't rule out a trade at some point this winter, but it suggests nothing is imminent, which coincides with Rosenthal reporting "no deal appears close" between the Cubs and Angels.