With less sense of seriousness, possibly the Cubs hold out for a more elite possibility or one whos big league prepared.
For the Cubs to swallow any wage would require more in the prospect world from the Mets. The Cubs have 2 shortstops amongst their Top 5 potential customers (Cristian Hernandez and Ed Howard), Peraza– who is playing at Double-A– is closer to being big-league prepared than either of them.
The Cubs, who will most likely need to pay down some of Bryants remaining 2021 wage to persuade a group to trade for him months prior to he hits totally free company. Up until we understand whether the Cubs could be making these trades with an eye towards 2022 or 2024, its hard to understand if they d take a clearly-rebuilding trade bundle like the above, with 2 potential customers whose ETAs are 2023.

These are some of the possibilities..
Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Báez and Craig Kimbrel all produce exceptionally fascinating trade targets. Lets find them some possible landing areas.
MLB.coms analysts came up with six competing teams that could make a huge splash by trading for several of the Cubs big names, and produced an offer for each of those groups.
Here are the trade proposals. (All stats discussed were entering Friday.).
El Mago makes As shortstop issue vanish.
Why it could work: The As requirement a shortstop more than anyone. Their offensive production from the shortstop position is the second-worst of any team (just the Pirates have actually gotten less), and without a doubt the worst of any playoff competitor. Oaklands wRC+ at shortstop is just 61 … 100 is league average. Offseason acquisition Elvis Andrus, whos started 82 of the As 89 video games at short, just hasnt been the answer.
So its time for a brand-new trade. Báez is a boom-or-bust player– high crowning achievement, high strikeouts– however hes been more boom than bust this season (21 homers, 107 wRC+). His power hitting would go a long method for the As, whove just gotten two crowning achievement from their shortstops all year, tied for the fewest of any group. Báez is also a highlight reel-type defender; Andrus has been below-average.
The Cubs would get a quality shortstop possibility in Davidson– the 23-year-old switch-hitter was the As first-round Draft choice in 2019 who has power potential, above-average speed, a strong arm and good athleticism. Add in an interesting pitching possibility in Criswell, a tough thrower who flashes plus secondary pitches with a slider and changeup, and possibly you have an offer.
Who states no: More most likely the Cubs. Theyre probably not going to get everything they d desire for Báez. Javy is a fan favorite in Chicago and at his best hes a super star shortstop, however hes a leasing, and you can see the danger in going out and trading for him and his Major League-high 112 strikeouts and hack-at-everything technique at the plate. Davidson and Criswell are top-10 potential customers for the As, however theyre not ranked in MLBs Top 100 total, so they may not pry El Mago far from Chicago.
Giants fortify pen for playoff push.
Why it could work: The Giants have actually gotten here ahead of schedule and find themselves in great position for a playoff berth (84.2% postseason odds, per FanGraphs), however attempting to hold back the skilled Dodgers and Padres to win the NL West and prevent a winner-take-all Wild Card Game. The inspiration should be there to act, and while San Franciscos bullpen has actually not precisely been a problem (3.31 ERA, connected for 2nd in MLB), its also short on firepower (22.9% K-rate, 25th). Kimbrel has actually been astonishing this season and not only would offer the Giants a shutdown closer but also free up submarining righty Tyler Rogers and lefty Jake McGee to pitch more in high-leverage spots earlier in video games.
The bonus with Kimbrel is that hes not a pure rental. The 33-year-old has a $16 million club option for 2022, so the Giants could have him for two playoff races and postseasons. However, it might be tough for Chicago to land the sort of possibility they offered up (Gleyber Torres) to acquire Aroldis Chapman in 2016. With that said, the 19-year-old Harrison has an up arrow beside his name, as the 2020 third-round choice has actually struck out 76 in 46 2/3 innings this year in Class A. Castro (3.22 ERA in Triple-A) might supply immediate bullpen assistance, and Davis (currently on the hurt list) has wrecked Triple-A around a couple of cups of coffee in MLB.
Who says no? Probably the Cubs. While Chicago no doubt would choose to move the rest of Kimbrels agreement, it might also pick up his alternative and then trade him this winter. With less sense of seriousness, possibly the Cubs hold out for a more elite possibility or one whos huge league prepared.
Welcome to the Mets. For real this time?
Why it might work: Back in January, in the middle of swirling rumors that he was on the edge of being dealt, Bryant received a text from a Connecticut area code with that cryptic “Welcome to the Mets” message. It turned out to be baloney, naturally, however the Mets and Cubs did indeed talk about Bryant quite a bit, and theres no reason that they shouldnt be discussing him now.
In spite of excellent problem on the injury front, the Mets have had one of the most reputable pitching personnels in baseball this season. Its the offense, remarkably, holding this club back from being truly World Series-caliber. The Mets balance a simple 3.6 runs per game– second-worst in all of MLB going into Friday before an impressive revealing vs. the Pirates. It ought to go without saying that Bryant is the kind of bat capable of bringing whatever up a notch. It will be intriguing to see how rapidly 3rd baseman J.D. Davis can round back into type upon his anticipated return from a hand sprain early in the 2nd half, but Bryant also has the flexibility to enhance the outfield and spell Pete Alonso initially when needed.
And for the Cubs, this return featuring the Mets Nos. 8, 9 and 11 potential customers, per MLB Pipeline, surpasses the worth of the Draft choice settlement they d receive if/when Bryant signs somewhere else.
Who says no? Most likely the Mets. Bryant will have around $6 million staying on his 2021 salary at the time of the Trade Deadline. And while the Mets can include that to their tally while staying under the luxury tax threshold, they might wish to make several moves that make complex the equation. For the Cubs to swallow any salary would need more in the prospect realm from the Mets. Normally, it can be difficult for the trade worth and name worth to compare with rental position gamers.
Yankees go for it, Cubs land manageable slugger.
Why it might work: The Yankees are in desperate requirement of a left-handed bat, so including Rizzo to the lineup would assist balance an extremely right-handed group. As a perk, Rizzo also brings much better defense in the beginning base. New Yorks bullpen has actually been strong, however GM Brian Cashman knows theres no such thing as having too much pitching, so Chafin would add more depth to the powerful group.
For the Cubs, Voit would be the Rizzo replacement the club will invariably need to look for after this season, providing control of the 30-year-old slugger through 2024. Peraza is a toolsy 21-year-old shortstop who can do a little bit of everything. Although the Cubs have two shortstops amongst their Top 5 potential customers (Cristian Hernandez and Ed Howard), Peraza– who is playing at Double-A– is closer to being big-league all set than either of them.
The Cubs. Offered Rizzos value to the fan base, the Cubs will hope to get more in return for him, while Chafin could be a highly sought-after arm in a bullpen-needy market.
The Cubs handle a really familiar opponent.
Why it might work: Lets have some intradivision fun!
Theres no love lost on the diamond in between the Brewers and Cubs, however maybe they can see eye to eye on the trading block. The Crew might ride those arms through October (a la the 2019 Nationals) if its offense simply pitches in a bit more; the Brewers own a National League-worst.220 group batting average as former leaders like Christian Yelich and Keston Hiura search for answers.
The Cubs appear intent on a quick “reload” instead of a total 2012-style teardown. Ashby just got his first taste of the bigs (albeit a bitter one), and his huge strikeout numbers in the Minors could help address the glaring absence of swing-and-miss in Chicagos future rotation strategies. Quero could be a promising catching prospect must the Cubs also choose to deal fellow Venezuelan Willson Contreras.
Who states no? The Cubs, who will most likely require to pay down a few of Bryants remaining 2021 salary to persuade a team to trade for him months prior to he hits totally free company. Paying of pocket to send him to a fierce department competitor would likely be too much for the Wrigley faithful to stomach.
Blue Jays add a tested closer.
Why it could work: The Blue Jays are in third location in the AL East behind the Red Sox and Rays, sporting among the most vibrant offenses in baseball. The Jays 112 wRC+ ranks second in the Majors behind just the Astros. Hitting hasnt been an issue, but run avoidance has actually been, particularly in the late innings. The group signed Kirby Yates in the offseason, however he wound up requiring Tommy John Surgery prior to the season even began. The group has had seven various pitchers record a minimum of one save, with Jordan Romano blazing a trail with 6. Theres no question that a more specific alternative at the end of video games would put the team in a much better spot, and allow them to use Romano, who has been good, with a 1.76 ERA, in other high-leverage scenarios.
Plus, Kimbrel has a club alternative for 2022, when the young team is likely to be competitive yet once again. That indicates he could be closing out postseason victories for Vlad Jr. and company for two straight years.
Who says no? Likely the Cubs, who may desire more of an MLB-ready prospect, or even attempt to request among Torontos gamers who has already reached that level, like Alek Manoah. Up until we understand whether the Cubs could be making these trades with an eye towards 2022 or 2024, its hard to understand if they d take a clearly-rebuilding trade bundle like the above, with 2 prospects whose ETAs are 2023.