Atlanta Braves: Kris Bryant is a better option than Josh Donaldson

Look, we speculate a lot and when it comes to trade scenarios, there’s even more speculation involved. It may not take Riley or Fried, it may be Ender and some prospects, who knows? Bryant is worth a steep price for the Braves in 2020 as we will have a net positive growth after the move.

The Braves have already added Cole Hamels to the rotation. Adding Bryant would arguably be a lateral move from Donaldson, if not increase production at third.

Commitment

Bryant has two years of team control left before he hits free agency in 2022. The advantage goes to Bryant with the two years in his prime versus the hope you get two good years out of Donaldson on what is likely to be a four year, high-dollar contract.

I don’t know if we would trade and sign him to an extension – I would guess that’s unlikely with the top stars going for $35 million and Bryant being a Scott Boras client – but two years is such a low risk on such a talented player. The Braves should expect to pay up in prospects.

Those two years would give the Braves an MVP-caliber player at third while the Cubs are the ones hoping the prospects work out. A star like Bryant takes out the guesswork. If the Cubs are in the market for a defensive-oriented centerfielder, I think the price tag is very low for Bryant.

The race for Donaldson has teams conceding the final year or two as potentially overpaying for an older player. Bryant is still in his prime…Nay! Just entering his prime. Bryant has played like he’s in his prime since the moment he stepped foot on a Major League diamond.

Here’s a breakdown of the price tags:

Bryant

• +$11 million payroll
• Two-year contract (low risk)
• Loss of young players/prospects with uncertain futures.
• Still creates flexibility to sign a FA pitcher for the same price as Donaldson in 2020-2023.

Donaldson

• $25+ million
• Four-year contract (high risk, high price tag…Miguel Cabrera is set to make around $30 million in 2020.)
• Potentially no room to sign/trade for any more players.

In one final note, Kris Bryant has the following video going for him.

What do you think? Would you prefer Bryant over Donaldson? Let us know in the comments below!