As the great Al Pacino once famously said in the infamous Godfather III movie, “Just when I thought I was gone, they bring me back in!”
This phrase can be used to resemble off-season trade talks held between the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs regarding third baseman. Kris Bryant
As SNY’s Andy Martino initially reported last month, conversations between the Mets and Cubs initially ran away. And like Mike Puma of The New York Post noted, this was due to the Chicago asking price of the Mets No. 2 ranked prospect catcher Francisco Alvarez, which the organization has designated as untouchable.
But on Wednesdays Martino reported that the Mets and Cubs have resumed trade talks around Bryant. Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks‘name has also drifted in package scenarios given the needs of the Mets in their rotation, but this hasn’t been officially confirmed.
A source said Metsmerized, the Cubs were very close to Bryant not tendering the off-season, before choosing to keep him and listen to trade proposals from other teams. But as SNY’s Jim Duquette reported, the Cubs are more likely to hold on to Bryant until the July trading deadline unless they are blown away by a bid.
Bryant will make $ 19.5 million this season and could be a pricey rent for a contender in need of offensive help. For now, it looks like the Mets will come along Jd Davis third, but if this plan fails, we could see Bryant come to Queens in mid-summer through trade.
The 29-year old comes off a disappointingly shortened season, hitting four home runs with 11 RBI while cutting .206 / .293 / .. 351. For his career, Bryant has won MVP and Rookie of the Year awards, while making three All Star appearances and helping the Cubs document their 108-year World Series drought in 2016.
