Ready for a particularly juicy trade rumor, Red Sox fans?
Boston and the Chicago Cubs discussed a trade involving star third baseman Kris Bryant during the summer, the Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzales reported Monday, citing multiple sources.
Gonzales did not speculate about any particulars of a potential trade, but he did note the Red Sox view Bryant as a fit in left field.
Here’s an excerpt from Gonzales’ column:
Two sources confirmed the Red Sox and Cubs discussed Bryant this summer, but those talks faded.
Rafael Devers is the incumbent at third base, which means the Red Sox would envision Bryant as a left fielder.
The Red Sox’s farm system isn’t deep, but they have a lot of money after clearing the salaries of David Price and Mookie Betts by trading them to the Dodgers in February.
Mike Bryant, Kris’ father, is a Massachusetts native, but his son will dictate where he plays when becoming a free agent after 2021.
Obviously, that the talks “faded” during the summer hardly precludes either team from resuming discussions during the offseason.
Bryant, 28, is a three-time All-Star, as well as a National League MVP and Rookie of the Year winner. He was great in 2019, but 2020 was a far different story, as Bryant endured his worst campaign yet: .206 batting average to go along with four home runs and 11 RBIs in 34 games.
Bryant is scheduled to become a free agent after next season.
