Bryant loses grievenace while Astros hit the Dusty Trail

Image Courtesy of Bing

It seems like the Cubs offseason has been on hold for months while Kris Bryant’s grievance was being decided. Well, it’s finally settled. Bryant lost his grievance and the Cubs have two years of contract control. How will they use it? They can either keep Bryant or trade him. While it might seem blasphemous to many Cubs fans, the idea of trading Bryant has merit. Personally, I doubt Bryant is going to sign a long term deal with the Cubs. And even if he did it will hamstring the Cubs ability to build around him.

Here's an idea I like

There have been rumors floating around that the Cubs and Rockies are discussing a Nolan Arenado for Kris Bryant trade, with the Rockies absorbing some of Arenado’s contract. If that deal is on the table, as Cubs fan I’d take it. A key is just how much of Arenado’s money the Rockies would pick up. Arenado is simply stated, a better player than Bryant. When Bryant goes to free agency I suspect he’ll get more money than Nolan Arenado and he won’t be worth it. 

Why has it taken so long?

Another issue is the Cubs are a team in need of a kick in the butt. I saw an article, I believe in Bleacher Report that said the Cubs had gotten fat and lazy under Joe Maddon. I agree. Maddon needed to go, but I think some additional palate cleansing in the form of trading a member of the core is needed. 

Why not just concentrate on winning?

While trading Kris Bryant for Nolan Arenado doesn’t help the Cubs cap issue, it would make them a much better team. If the Cubs made that move they would have to use other creative ways to reduce payroll, or just bite the bullet and try to build a winner.

Of course the Cubs could simple trade Bryant for a package of prospects. I expect that’s the route they’ll go.

Dusty will clean up a scandal, just ask Barry Bonds

In the other big story in baseball, the Astros hired Dusty Baker to be their manager for the next two years. Most baseball experts are hailing the hiring as a coup for the Stros. I beg to differ.

The stealing of signs is the biggest scandal in baseball since the PEDs scandal. Where was Dusty during that PEDs scandal anyway? Oh yeah, he was in San Francisco watching Barry Bonds’ head grow to be the size of a suitcase. Of course, Dusty, being a standup guy said nothing. Apparently Dusty felt that wasn’t his job. I wonder if Dusty would have felt stopping the sign stealing was his job?

Still waiting for Steve Stone's endorsement

In addition, I remember Dusty’s tenure as the Cubs manager. The Cubs frittered away a playoff opportunity by way of a patented Cubs collapse during the 2004 season. Steve Stone was the Cubs color guy at the time. It seemed that some Cubs players took umbrage to Stone’s candor and the conflict ultimately led to Stone leaving the Cubs broadcast booth.

I’ve heard various baseball analysts fawn over Dusty’s great personality and honesty. I don’t remember it quite the same way.