3 Cubs who have played themselves into being trade bait at the deadline

2. Cubs trade rumors: If the Cubs won’t re-sign Kris Bryant, they have to get something for him before he’s gone

It seems like just yesterday Kris Bryant made his much-anticipated Cubs debut in 2015. He would take home Rookie of the Year, and the NL MVP award just one season later. He was a key piece in delivering the North Side their first World Series title in 108 years, and now he could be in the final weeks of his playing days in a Cubs uniform.

However, it’s worth noting a developing story in the status of Bryant. He was pulled from Wednesday’s game with a hamstring injury and remained out of the lineup on Thursday.

Maybe it’s truly an injury, or Hoyer and his team have something in the works as this article is being typed. There’s no way to know for sure, but it should be certain the Cubs need Bryant healthy by the deadline.

After a woeful 2020, Bryant returned to All-Star form this season while slashing .268/.349/.498 with 16 home runs and 43 RBIs in 324 plate appearances. This comes after June which Bryant posted a .114 batting average. He owns a 300-plus average in every other month he’s played this season.

Aside from his offense, Bryant has shown his versatility around the entire field. He’s played 24 games at third base, 12 games at first, and 53 games combined between all three outfield spots. He’s made just four total errors this season, three of which have come as an infielder.

Whether it’s the Cubs or not, super-agent Scott Boras will make sure someone is going to pay Bryant this offseason. If Chicago doesn’t want to, there’s no point in keeping him around if they aren’t serious about contending.