Mets Rumors: Trade talks for Kris Bryant have come to a halt

The latest round of New York Mets rumors offers more insight into why the team did not trade for Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant. As it turned out, trade talks between the two clubs did not get very far.

According to Bleacher Report, SNY’s Andy Martino reported that trade discussions between the two clubs never advanced past the preliminary stages, but it is possible that the teams re-engage in trade talks once the Trade Deadline approaches. Of course, this would be dependent on how the Mets and Cubs perform during the first half of the season.

Despite winning the National League Central last year, the Cubs shipped away Yu Darvish to the Padres and allowed Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr., and Jon Lester to depart in free agency, suggesting the beginning of a teardown. However, with the National League Central fairly mediocre, the team still has a fighting chance at the division title. Meanwhile, the Mets, despite losing out on many of the top free agents, are expected to be one of the best teams in the National League.

The Mets rumors of the team’s interest in Bryant, though, were logical and rational. Third base was considered a position of weakness for the Mets heading into the 2021 season, so the thought was that the team would look at trading for Bryant or new Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. However, after Mets rumors persisted that the team was eyeing infield depth, the team signed Jonathan Villar. Along with J.D. Davis and Luis Guillorme, it appears as though the Mets will enter 2021 with a rotating carousel at the position.

The latest Mets rumors may temporarily put an end to the Kris Bryant trade talks, but expect them to reemerge once the summer arrives.

However, with Bryant due to hit free agency at the conclusion of this year, Mets rumors will continue to persist regarding his availability. Considering that the team is seeking to contend, acquiring Bryant would be the type of move that a contending team would make.

Although Bryant struggled in 2020, he was one of the best hitters in the National League from 2015 to 2019. His WAR (27.9) ranks only third behind Mike Trout and Mookie Betts over the same period of time.

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The latest round of Mets rumors may have temporarily shut down the Bryant-to-New-York chants. However, it would be foolish to believe this is the last Mets rumors surrounding Bryant that fans have heard. Once the summer arrives, expect Mets rumors to begin swirling in full force again, with Bryant being at the center of those rumors.