MLB offseason: 4 trades that could still happen before Opening Day

3. Mets acquire third baseman Kris Bryant

Look, as much as Cubs executive Jed Hoyer wants us to believe Kris Bryant isn’t available, I’m not buying it. Chicago would be unwise not to explore his value at all times, and with the Mets failing to acquire another big name on the free agent market, perhaps they’ll go 2-for-2 in trades this offseason.

Here’s what Hoyer had to say on Tuesday regarding Bryant. Per ESPN Cubs reporter Jesse Rogers, Hoyer says “the Cubs HAVE NOT been engaged in trade talks in a while and does not anticipate anything soon.”

I want to believe Hoyer, but that’s not how this business works. The Cubs are looking to retool on the fly, that much has been made obvious by ownership’s willingness to openly shop their best players. If Chicago fans are lucky, Willson Contreras won’t be next. But Bryant fills an obvious hole for the Mets. They don’t want J.D. Davis as their Opening Day third baseman.

Bryant would bring even more star power to Queens to compete with the crosstown Yankees. The left side of their infield would be elite from all angles, with Bryant and Francisco Lindor leading this next generation of Mets fans into consistent postseason contention.

And if there’s anyone who can afford a potential Bryant extension should he live up to his name this coming season, it’s billionaire Steve Cohen.