MLB Trade Predictions: Red Sox To Part Ways With David Price, Kris Bryant To Leave Cubs

The MLB trade market may be ready to heat up this winter as the Boston Red Sox are getting ready to part ways with David Price while the Chicago Cubs prepare to trade away Kris Bryant. These two deals would greatly benefit the two clubs who employ the players while at the same time there are potential trade partners willing to take both.

As per Chad Jennings of The Athletic, the Boston Red Sox are very hopeful of getting their organization under the $208 million luxury tax cap for the 2020 MLB season. The organization currently sits about $28 million over budget according to Spotrac.

The fastest way to get under the luxury tax cap would be to trade away a contract worth at least $28 million which leaves just two candidates - David Price and Mookie Betts. As Betts is still in his prime it is unlikely for the Red Sox to actively shop the outfielder.

They may be tempted if a suitor comes in with a great offer but it is far more likely that Boston will find a way to move veteran southpaw Price. His contract has three years left and is worth $96 million or $32 million per season.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom will be wary of what a potential trading partner could ask for in return for taking on such a large contract. Any team willing to take the lefty would more than likely ask for a crop of young prospects and/or for the Red Sox to eat some of Price’s salary.

Jennings reports that the Red Sox would be much more amenable to paying part of Price’s paycheck rather than part ways with more players. The organization is confident they could pay down the pitcher’s contract to get to a more manageable $20 million per year hit.

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports there are no fewer than five teams who are interested in Price; the San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels. While there is no guarantee that a deal will get done, the rapidly-thinning starting pitching market means that Boston moving Price is looking more likely than ever.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs are mulling a trade of their own. Third baseman Kris Bryant is getting a lot of trade attention after Anthony Rendon committed his future to the Angels and Mike Moustakas to the Reds.

That leaves only Josh Donaldson as a top-tier free agent at the hot corner and he will likely sign for big money. As such, the Cubs see an opportunity to cash in on Bryant who will be a free agent at the end of the 2021 season if not sooner.

He and the Cubs are involved in an on-going grievance case relating to time served at the major league level. Should Bryant win, he will become a free agent after next season while if Chicago wins, his contract will be valid until 2021.

This trade will only go through once that case is resolved but if and when it does it could involve the Texas Rangers or the Washington Nationals. Both are known suitors of Donaldson and whichever misses out on the veteran will be very motivated buyers in the Bryant market.