Cubs Demands in Kris Bryant Trade Talks With Nationals Revealed
By Jerry Trotta
Kris Bryant's name has frequently been dangled as a potential trade candidate this offseason, but Cubs fans are hoping to put those rumors to rest after the third baseman was named the team's leadoff hitter for the 2020 season.
Well, one team who was courting Bryant in hopes of locking down a deal with the Cubs was the Washington Nationals, who still have an Anthony Rendon-sized hole in their lineup.
No deal came to fruition, obviously, and now MLB insider Jon Heyman has revealed the Cubs' asking price for their star slugger, and it's pretty massive.
Nats are giving top prospect Carter Kieboom a shot to replace a Rendon at 3B. No current talks on Bryant. Cubs wanted either Robles or some combo of RHP Rutledge, SS Garcia and Kieboom. Not an unreasonable ask but considering price (tax) and potential ultimately decided no.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 20, 2020
The Cubs were reportedly asking for outfielder Victor Robles, or a combination of touted third baseman Carter Kieboom, shortstop Luis Garcia, and right-hander Jackson Rutledge.
The trio rank as the Nationals' top three prospects entering the 2020 season. Now, it comes as no surprise whatsoever as to why Washington has reportedly backed out of the Bryant sweepstakes, opting instead to offer Kieboom a chance to claim the vacant third base position as his own.
?️The Washington Nationals are not going to trade Victor Robles, so stop talking about it.
— Blake Finney (@FinneyBlake) January 3, 2020
No doubt this will be bookmarked for OldTakesExposed, but it just doesn't make any sense for them to deal him. No, not even for Kris Bryant. https://t.co/sQholdbeXL
Bryant is obviously a tremendous talent, but the Cubs have lost the plot if they think the Nats, one of the league's most well-run organizations, would be willing to part with such a significant haul of prospects in exchange for Bryant, whom they would only control for two years before he hits free agency.
The Cubs had their price, and didn't budge. Judging from these reports, walking away from this deal was the right move for both parties.