As I said this morning, yesterday’s report on ‘recent’ trade talks between the Cubs and Mets on Kris Bryant was subsequently updated to remove the word ‘recent’. This seems to be a significant change, given the fact that there was a trade talk in November, but it is far from the fact that it had a good difference for the two teams last week. has.
Now, now there’s a report from New York:
There was a recent conversation between the Mets and Cubs about Kris Bryant. The Cubs love catcher Francisco Alvarez, one of the Mets’ best prospects. Sandy Alderson indicated yesterday that he is not trading the best prospects.
– Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) 8 January 2021
This report not only confirms the conversations, and it not only places the word ‘recent’, but it also mentions a name on the other side: the prospect Francisco Alvarez.
Alvarez (19) is indeed a top prospect in the Mets system and is probably also a top 100 for most services. According to MLB Pipeline he is actually in the rankings ahead of Brailyn Marquez and Brennen Davis. So, yes, it would certainly be that the Mets would abandon a top prospect, who apparently look like they’ll be spoiled, even in a deal for Bryant.
Why do you mention the name? Why would a report from New York have the name of a prospect the Cubs would like to keep in talks with Bryant? If I had to guess, it might be because the Mets would rather not be willing to give up a top prospect like Alvarez for Bryant … but would rather give up something less? Like maybe a big investor, or a lesser prospect? Overall, I can think of ‘lesser’ pieces than Alvarez that would be a ‘fair’ return for Bryant, even if the Cubs hold the price tag high. So this is a little weird.
Too weird? Jon Heyman has it at the same time as Puma’s tweet:
Kris Bryant should have more markets than he looks like: .889 lifelong OPS, offers flexibility (can play all three OR positions in addition to 3B), 1 year to go at a reasonable rate (about $ 18-19 million).
– Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) 8 January 2021
Is someone out there just trying to get Bryant talking going? Or is it just a little drama after the Mets trade? Or are the Mets trying to pressure some free agent to sign? Stay tuned, I think. It was immediately after the Padres traded with a big arm, that this kind of “oh, wait, actually there are more” things started appearing about Yu Darvish.
Also: I would not read too much about the Cubs who are allegedly interested in an excellent prospect. At just 19, Alvarez is not a man you want to target, because you buy Willson Contreras, for example. Instead, it will just be the best chance to get. And if you really like Alvarez’s bat, then so be it.