There's Another Dumb Kris Bryant Trade Proposal

Yet another dumb Kris Bryant trade proposal. This is where we're at in the offseason. This is the shit that's making headlines and I guess we can take the time to make fun of these morons. Fine, I'll accept that these networks are just trying to create content because aside from a couple catchers signing, there is nothing happening in the offseason. Anyway, a few weeks ago, or whenever, ESPN's Buster Olney reported that the Cubs were open to trading Kris Bryant, to which Theo Epstein immediately shot it down. That report came after Epstein said that there weren't any untouchables for the Cubs, but that trading a guy like Bryant or Anthony Rizzo wouldn't make much sense. Oh and earlier in October, David Kaplan said Bryant could be traded because he won't sign an extension right now and we had a good laugh at that too. The Mets have actually had serious reports about trading one of their big stars this offseason, starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard, and because of that there are people actually discussing a Bryant for Syndergaard deal. MLB.com's David Adler wrote about the five teams who should trade for Syndergaard and he listed the Cubs as No. 1.

When ESPN's Buster Olney reported last week that the Cubs might be open to trading Kris Bryant, Syndergaard quickly came up as one of the players who could be a headliner of a package for the superstar third baseman. The Cubs have yet to show serious interest in Syndergaard, according to several reports, but the fit is there on both sides. Both Bryant and Syndergaard are 26 years old; both are controllable for the next three seasons; both have elite ability at their positions. Bryant would give the Mets a cornerstone at a position where they badly need one, as David Wright's successor at third. Syndergaard would give the Cubs the type of dominant power pitcher they don't have in their rotation. If the Cubs were to ever pull the trigger on such a massive deal, they could, for example, seek out a replacement for Bryant in free agency -- Manny Machado and Josh Donaldson are out there, after all.

And here's what Danny Abriano from SNY wrote. 

Coming off a down year where he was limited to just 102 games because of a shoulder injury, the Cubs are open to trading 3B Kris Bryant, reports ESPN's Buster Olney. The Mets have three big needs at the moment: upgrading catcher, upgrading the back end of the bullpen, and finding a right-handed hitting power bat -- ideally one who can play third base. With the team reportedly leery about free agent Manny Machado, Bryant could become the perfect solution. The Cubs are loaded with offensive firepower. But since 2015, they have fallen short in the playoffs every year but one. And one of the reasons (along with their disappearing October offense) has been their lack of a true ace. While they have multiple years of control remaining for their top four starting pitchers, the outlook isn't that rosy.

Thanks Buster. Again, a reminder to what Buster wrote and what Theo Epstein said that has all of a sudden made people think the Cubs are actually considering trading Bryant. Spoiler alert, they're not.

So, first of all, trading Bryant isn't even a realistic option and second, trading one of your best offensive hitters for a pitcher who's had arm injuries, including missing almost all of 2017?!?! Here's the thing, of course I'd love to have Syndergaard in the Cubs rotation because when he's healthy he's been one of the best pitchers in the National League. But guess what, for one, Kris Bryant is also one of the best players in the National League and two, the Cubs are pretty set in the rotation. But the reason this makes zero sense has more to do with the losing Bryant part because the Cubs can easily make sure Syndergaard can fit into the rotation. So, how exactly is the Cubs offense going to get better if they lose Bryant? You could say they could then go out and sign Manny Machado, or Bryce Harper, or whoever, but guess what, the Cubs can keep Kris Bryant AND sign another good hitter. Wow, what a great idea. Blame Buster Olney and his clickbait, bullshit story for these dumb trade proposals.