(670 The Score) To trade or not to trade Kris Bryant? That is now the question for the Cubs.
On Wednesday morning, news broke that Bryant had lost his service time grievance against the Cubs, according to an ESPN report. The ruling means that Bryant will become a free agent after the 2021 season, the timeline by which the Cubs had previously been operating over the years. The clarity on Bryant's contract situation also means that trade discussions for him could turn more serious.
Interested suitors now know they would have Bryant under team control for two seasons, and all parties have a better understanding of his trade value.
The Cubs have had numerous Bryant trade discussions with interested teams this offseason, but nothing was going to get done while the grievance went unresolved. Any hope of Bryant and the Cubs agreeing to a long-term extension remains remote, as the assumption across baseball is that he's content to play out the final two years of his contract and enter free agency. That's why the Cubs, off a disappointing 84-win season and in need of a revamp of some sort, are considering trading Bryant.
While the 28-year-old Bryant is a coveted player, trading him is still a complicated situation.
The Braves have been a logical trade partner all along. After losing incumbent third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Twins in free agency, the Braves quickly pivoted and signed outfielder Marcell Ozuna to a one-year, $18-million deal. The money allocated to Ozuna means the Braves might be hesitant to absorb all of Bryant's $18.6-million salary in 2020 without a little financial relief. That means center fielder Ender Inciarte could be a key piece of a potential Cubs-Braves trade, as his $7.7-million salary in 2020 could give Atlanta some financial relief and also fit positionally for Chicago's needs.
The Dodgers also loom as a suitor for Bryant should they want to make a big move. Los Angeles third baseman Justin Turner was willing to move to first base had the Dodgers added star Anthony Rendon in free agency, and the assumption is that would still be the case for someone of Bryant's caliber.
Middle infielder Gavin Lux remains the crown jewel of the Dodgers' system. He's the No. 2 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, and he debuted late in 2019 by playing in 23 games for the Dodgers. Lux is viewed as untouchable in the eyes of some observers, but the Dodgers have a deep system that also includes highly regarded pitching prospect Dustin May.
While any team could use a player of Bryant's caliber, the Nationals and Phillies are two others that are in their championship window and have question marks at third base.
Because of Bryant's talent and the Cubs' desire to stay under the $208-million luxury tax threshold that they're already pressing up against, his name will continue to fall in trade speculation until a deal is made or the team provides further clarity on his standing.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
