Fansided

4 possible trade partners for the Cubs and Kris Bryant

By Sean Sears

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 01: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs stands on the field during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on September 01, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 01: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs stands on the field during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on September 01, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 09: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals hits a double in the tenth inning of game five of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 09: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals hits a double in the tenth inning of game five of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Nationals could replace Rendon with Bryant

After re-signing starter Stephen Strasburg to a 7-year-deal worth $245 million, the Nationals may have priced themselves out of the Anthony Rendon sweepstakes. It was reported earlier this week that the Nationals did a check-in on Bryant and the Cubs, starting to build a contingency plan should Rendon leave DC for a big payday somewhere else.

At first glance, the Nationals’ farm system doesn’t have much depth that would entice the Cubs, but top prospect shortstop Carter Kieboom would be a big piece to a Kris Bryant deal. The Nationals also have two promising right-handers in Jackson Rutledge and Mason Denaburg but both are 20-years-old and are still a few years away from being MLB-ready.

However, the Nats are showing they want to repeat again next season and adding a player like Kris Bryant makes sense for Washington’s current contention window. Even if Bryant leaves in two seasons when he’s projected to become a free agent, the Nationals roster if one of the oldest in baseball and it’s unlikely this same group will remain the best in baseball after two more seasons.

The Nats want to win, but would they part with their best prospects for two years of title-chasing with Kris Bryant on the roster? It seems unlikely but so did re-signing Strasburg to a record-breaking deal (at the time, of course).

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