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Mets trade talks with Chicago Cubs for star third baseman Kris bryant have taken over, according to SNY’s Andy Martino.
With Bryant now back on the line for the Mets, what kind of package should New York be ready to part ways?
Bryant is on a $ 19.5 million contract in 2021 and is set to enter free agency after the season, which means his situation is no different from that with Francisco Lindor earlier this offseason before the Cleveland Indians – desperate to wipe the payroll – process him and Carlos Carrasco to Mets.
Like Bryant, Lindor is set to become a free agency after the 2021 season and will earn a hefty salary this season ($ 22.3 million). Like Bryant, Lindor has just had a tough season. But for Lindor, his 2020 was still productive.
Bryant, meanwhile, was alarming.
He hit just .206 / .293 / .351 while being limited to 34 games in part due to an oblique injury.
Bryant also missed 60 games in 2018 due to a shoulder injury that impacted his power. He only hit 13 home runs in 2018, but rebounded to smash 31 in 147 games in 2019 while cutting .282 / .382 / .521.
While Bryant’s performance in 2020 seems like an aberration and his advantage is huge, he shouldn’t cost more than it took to get Lindor and Carrasco.
And with Scott Boras as Bryant’s agent, the likelihood the Mets will extend him (if they’re interested in doing so) is likely less than their chances of extending Lindor.
Bryant being a likely rental isn’t the Cubs’ problem. They are free to ask for whatever they want in return. But for the Mets, they should draw a line in the sand when it comes to what they’re willing to part ways with. What should this line be?
Team president Sandy Alderson said earlier this offseason that the team wasn’t necessarily reluctant to part ways with prospects. To be exact, they were primarily averse to exchanging their most valuable leads.
The Mets didn’t part with any of their top six prospects when dealing for Lindor and are expected to have the same philosophy in talks for Bryant.
This means that Francisco Alvarez, Matt Allan, Ronny mauricio, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Brett baty, and JT Ginn should be banned.
The types of players listed above are rarely out of place in the rental trades, and the Mets should stand firm on this point.
Instead, New York should be ready to part ways with one of their top 10 prospects – think of a player like the third baseman. Mark Winds – and another high-ceiling prospect in their top 30 which is years away from the majors.
It will certainly not be enough.
While negotiating for Lindor and Carrasco, the Mets dealt with prospects Isaiah greene with Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario – two big league players who have almost a decade of combined team control.
To get Bryant, they may have to part ways with another valuable piece of the league, but the set shouldn’t be up to what it took to get Lindor and Carrasco.
Per Martino, the Cubs have already expressed interest in trading for Jd davis, who will only earn $ 2.1 million in 2021 and still has four years of team control.
While Davis is a promising young hitter, his third base (and left field) defense is a serious concern. Bryant’s third-place defense is above average, while his offensive advantage is literally that of an MVP.
Could a bundle of Davis and Vientos (or another prospect not in the Mets’ top six, but in their top 15) do it for Bryant? Perhaps.
If Cubs want extra perspective, Mets should insist Chicago resumes Jeurys family and much of the $ 11 million he owes this season.
Should the Mets be ready to part with this kind of package for Bryant? Yes.
After Trevor Bauer chose to go to Los Angeles as the Mets offered him more money, it felt like the Mets had a big move to make this offseason – with a trade for Bryant among the potential moves that had the most meaning.
As talks have resumed, the Mets are expected to be aggressive but firm. The end result could be a left side of the infield in 2021 that includes not only Lindor but Bryant as well.
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