MLB Trade Rumors: Kris Bryant, Mets Are A Potential Fit, Cubs Weighing Options

The New York Mets will not stop their pursuit of star players after failing to acquire one in free agency. The team is targeting Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, who again finds himself at the center of trade rumors.

The Mets are talking with the Cubs about a potential Bryant trade, SNY’s Andy Martino reported. The two clubs had discussed a deal involving Bryant earlier this offseason.

It’s unknown how motivated Chicago is to trade Bryant before the start of the season. The Cubs might prefer to try and deal the three-time All-Star third baseman during the season when they could have more suitors.

Bryant struggled in the truncated 2020 season. The 29-year-old was limited to 34 games, during which he hit a career-worst .206/.293/.351 with four home runs.

Bryant was an All-Star in 2019 with 31 home runs and a .903 OPS. He won the 2016 NL MVP award and finished seventh in the voting in 2017.

Chicago has expressed interest in Mets third baseman J.D. Davis, according to Martino. Davis hit .247/.371/.389 last year after putting up .307/.369/.527 splits in 2019.

On January 6, we reported that any talks between Mets and Cubs on Kris Bryant were no longer active. That was true at the time. TIL it has changed since. Unclear how likely it is to happen, but there is at least something there.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) February 11, 2021

The Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers and Colorado Rockies were all linked to Bryant last year. With one year and $19.5 million left on his contract, Bryant is available before he hits free agency and potentially commands a lucrative, long-term deal.

New York was unable to land reigning NL Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer in free agency. Bauer instead chose the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are set to pay the pitcher a record $85 million over the next two seasons. The Mets were also unsuccessful in signing outfielder George Springer, who inked a $150 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Mets’ biggest offseason additions have come through a trade. New York acquired shortstop Francisco Lindor and pitcher Carlos Carrasco from the Cleveland Indians.

Catcher James McCann was the Mets’ biggest free-agent addition. McCann signed a four-year deal worth more than $40 million.

Before Colorado traded third baseman Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Mets were viewed as a dark-horse suitor for the superstar.