As rumors continue to swirl regarding All-Star Kris Bryant’s future in Chicago, the Cubs are reportedly itching to make a significant move and that could make a trade of the star third baseman even more likely this offseason.
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Chicago is “itching to do something” before the offseason ends and Bryant is now emerging as a serious candidate to be traded before the offseason ends.
The Cubs and interested organizations are still waiting for a decision to be made on Bryant’s service time grievance against the team. While winning the case would reduce his remaining contract from two years to one, it’s reportedly unlikely that he wins the legal battle.
Once that hurdle is cleared and free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson signs with his new team, the trade market for Bryant will likely accelerate rapidly.
He would be under team control for two more seasons and coming off another excellent season with a .282/.382/.521 slash line, 31 home runs and 77 RBI in 147 games.
The Washington Nationals are among the clubs interested in the former NL MVP. They could view Bryant as the perfect piece to replace Anthony Rendon and defend their World Series title in the upcoming season.