Cubs Trade Rumors: Chicago Still Active in Market amid Kris Bryant Buzz

Despite spring training games starting in a little more than a week, the Chicago Cubs are reportedly still active on the trade market—which include talks involving their third baseman, Kris Bryant.

Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reported there is a "sense of urgency" for the team to make a move, though that may not include Bryant. The three-time All-Star has been the subject of trade rumors all winter without a deal ever appearing close to done.

Bryant hit .282/.382/.521 with 31 home runs and 77 runs batted last season in a bounce-back from his injury-plagued 2019. His trade value is also arguably higher than at any point in the offseason after he lost a service-time grievance to the Cubs. The 28-year-old will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2021 season.

The Boston Red Sox already pulled off the most shocking trade of the offseason, sending Mookie Betts and David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfielder Alex Verdugo and prospects Jeter Downs and Connor Wong. That deal has largely been derided because it was a financially motivated move from a big-spending club.

A Cubs trade of Bryant would not quite be the same—he's not on the same level of Betts, a perennial MVP candidate—but it wouldn't be too dissimilar. The Cubs ranked third in salary last year and could easily make Bryant one of baseball's highest-paid players when he hits the open market. But their willingness to shop him to other teams makes it clear they're not entirely sold on keeping Bryant as a part of their foundation.

On paper, entertaining trade offers for Bryant appears to be a mistake. Only Mike Trout and Betts have produced more wins above replacement than Bryant over the last five seasons, per FanGraphs. While his numbers the last two seasons pale in comparison to his first three, Bryant still produced 4.8 WAR in 2019. 

Any team that potentially trades for him could be buying low on a foundational superstar.