On June 24, the Chicago Cubs combined to throw a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 4-0 win. The victory put the Cubs 42-33 on the season and had them right in the thick of the NL Central race. Now, Chicago has dropped 12 of their last 13 games and everyone including Kris Bryant, Javy Baez and Anthony Rizzo could potentially be traded.
The Cubs were leaning this way and gave sight to that in the offseason when they traded their ace, Yu Darvish, just to get off his contract. They then opted to non-tender Kyle Schwarber paving the way for his free agency. Now, it's clear the Cubs will be sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline, if they opt to do anything. That could mean trading former MVP Kris Bryant.
Here are the three best trade destinations for Kris Bryant, ranked.
3.) Chicago White Sox
This trade makes sense for every single reason except that it's hard to imagine the Cubs parting with Kris Bryant and sending him to their crosstown rivals.
The White Sox currently hold the largest division lead of any team in MLB, leading the Indians by 7.5 games in the AL Central. But recently, the White Sox have continued to pile up the injuries.
Kris Bryant is as versatile as they come as he can play both corner outfield spots along with third base and first base. The White Sox could use another consistent bat and even though Bryant could be a rental player for them, Chicago (AL) is clearly making a run at winning a World Series this year. They have plenty of talent both in the rotation and in the lineup but could use one more really good bat to push them over the top. Bryant would give them just that.
The only reason the White Sox aren't higher on the list is because, again, it's hard to imagine any scenario where the Cubs would actually trade Kris Bryant to their rivals.
2.) Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are always at least brought up as a destination when big name players end up on the trade market. Coming off a World Series title a year ago, LA is looking to bite off more this year in what has turned out to be a wildly competitive NL West.
While it's a three-team race in the division, the Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres are all within four games of one another with the Giants leading the charge for now.
LA could opt to go the pitching route at the deadline with the unknowns surrounding Trevor Bauer's case but if they want to add offense, Kris Bryant could be the guy.
The Dodgers don't care if it's a rental or not, they know year in and year out they are a World Series contender. Getting an extra shot in the arm with a stud player at the deadline will usually spark a squad.
Like with the White Sox or any team Kris Bryant could get traded to, the versatility and the ability to put him in multiple spots defensively would certainly be utilized by Dave Roberts and the Dodgers. Envisioning a lineup that could feature Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Cody Bellinger and Kris Bryant seems downright unfair.
1.) New York Mets
Despite many injuries so far over the course of the season, the New York Mets find themselves at the top of the food chain in the NL East with the MLB Trade Deadline fast approaching.
Unlike the other two teams on this list, the Mets actually need a shot of life offensively at third base.
J.D. Davis has been out since May 1 with a hand sprain and even though he's closing in on a return, getting Kris Bryant would be a huge upgrade at the hot corner for the Mets.
The Mets offense has been flat out tough to watch much of the year, and they rank 29th in runs scored per game (3.65).
They could benefit from adding another bullpen arm or a backend of the rotation starter, but there is no bigger need for the Mets right now then adding bats and productive ones at that.
Kris Bryant has had a really nice bounce back year for the Cubs and would be perfect in the lineup next to Francisco Lindor, near the top.
It's likely the Mets could try and work out a long term deal for Kris Bryant if they opted to trade for him and the checkbook could fly right back open for Steve Cohen after they already signed Lindor to a 10-year, $341 million deal earlier this year.
The Mets need bats and Bryant could be one of the best available at the MLB Trade Deadline.
Follow Us
Subscribe