Call Jed Hoyer
The big bat that’s easiest to get is Kris Bryant; it’s not close. He’s a 30+ homer bat who slots in behind and makes it harder to pitch around Freeman. He’s also in his walk year and looking for a big contract. There’s really nothing to dislike about Bryant.
Joe Maddon did him no favors shuffling him all around the diamond but played him at third in their run to the World Series, and he rewarded that by batting .308/.400/.523/.923 with three homers and eight RBI.
I don’t believe the price for Bryant is as high as some project. The Cubs can trade him now and get players they’ve scouted against professional pitching, or give him a qualifying offer and get a draft pick that may turn into something in four to six years.
A package of Alex Jackson, Kyle Wright, Brandon Shewmake, and Inciarte likely gets Bryant and adds payroll space.
I’ll skip the relief pitcher discussion because I see that as a signing of one from many. Giving Alex Colome two years and 11M fills the void, but there are other options available that fit as well.
That’s a Wrap
I understand the hope that Riley figures it out and turns into the power hitter the Atlanta Braves need, but I see nothing that indicates he’ll do that this season. Throughout his minor league career after Rookie-ball, he struck out 28% of the time, and every projection has him striking out more than 27% of the time in 2021.
Right now, he’s a seven-hole hitter and a place opposing pitchers go for an out. I didn’t put him in any trade package because he has value, but he’s not untouchable. With Pache an unknown quantity and Riley at best a question mark, the lineup lacks the necessary depth.
I hope we see some movement soon, at a higher level than Sunday’s signing of Pablo Sandoval to a minor league deal.