Nationals rumors: Is a Kris Bryant trade with the Cubs on the table?

With Kris Bryant on the trade block and the National in the market for a corner infielder, could a trade be in the works? 

The MLB hot stove is starting to warm up, and the Washington Nationals appear to be nudging their way to the front of the line.

According to Jo Morosi, the Nationals have their sights set on Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant in addition to other hitters on the market.

“Nationals are considering a trade for Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, among numerous hitters they’re currently monitoring on the market. Free agent DJ LeMahieu is another option, as I reported earlier today,” Morosi tweeted.

MLB Trade Rumors: Nationals landing Kris Bryant makes a ton of sense

It’s been an interesting offseason for the Cubs, as the team has watched itself become second fiddle to its South Side counterparts in addition to undergoing significant changes. Theo Epstein walked away from the team earlier this month and not long before that the team let it be known that everyone on the roster was for sale.

Kris Bryant is no stranger to trade rumors, but it seems as though he could be one of the biggest names to exit Chicago if a fire sale indeed happens.

For Washington, adding Bryant seems like a no-brainer and it appears that he’s their main target this offseason. Throwing out the fact that they’re also looking at other hitters seems like the type of thing you add to a request that you’re unsure how it will be received. LeMahieu is obviously an option if the Nats don’t want to dip into trade assets to acquire their third baseman, but Bryant is a former MVP and remains one of the Cubs best players on the roster.

Adding him to a lineup already stacked with Victor Robles, Juan Soto, and Trea Turner feels like the sort of move that would launch the Nationals to the front of the World Series conversation right alongside the Dodgers.