Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets. (Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports)
The New York Mets have the trade pieces to pull off a deal for Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant.
With the Chicago Cubs entering fire sale mode, the New York Mets need to capitalize on this and trade for Kris Bryant before the rival Atlanta Braves do.
While New York holds a four-game lead over the Braves in the NL East, Atlanta is not ready to punt on its season just yet, despite never being over .500 at any point this year. Atlanta has already made a trade with the Cubs this week for outfielder Joc Pederson and has the assets to deal for Bryant as well. New York has to win this arms race with Atlanta to stay atop the NL East.
What a trade for Kris Bryant would look like for the New York Mets
For New York, dealing for Bryant is all about claiming the NL East and going on a deep World Series run. Bryant may be on an expiring deal, but there is a chance he could re-up with the Mets on a new deal if he has a blast in the second half of the season.
As for Chicago, this is all about getting top prospects from contending teams to help jumpstart their rebuilding process for 2022.
Any realistic package for Bryant involving the Mets has their No. 8 prospect in Mark Vientos going the Cubs’ way. Along with the Double-AA third baseman, New York would have to be comfortable in parting ways with a top pitching prospect. That could be No. 3 prospect in right-hander Matt Allan or No. 6 prospect in right-hander J.T. Ginn. This is how the Mets can get Bryant.
New York will need to trade two top-eight prospects in their organization for half a year of Bryant.