McAdam: Don't get excited about those Kris Bryant-Red Sox rumors

In a list of five possible trade destinations for Kris Bryant, the Chicago Tribune today cited the Red Sox as a potential landing spot this winter, and noted that the Chicago Cubs and Red Sox had discussed a trade for Bryant prior to last August's trade deadline.

That deal didn't happen, of course, and one baseball source indicated that there were, in fact, no serious discussions between the teams regarding Bryant last summer.

Further, the source indicated that it was highly unlikely that the teams would match up on a Bryant deal this winter.

Bryant will be a free agent after the 2021 season, one of several key players eligible on Chicago's roster. (Kyle Schwarber, Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo are the others). In recognition of the fact that they can't possibly re-sign all four players, the Cubs are said to be open to listening to trade offers on at least some of the veteran players.

Bryant would be an expensive acquisition, even if it's only for one season. He's projected to earn $18.6 million in salary arbitration.

BSJ ANALYSIS:

First and foremost, there's an obvious question to answer: where would the Sox play Bryant? And while, thanks to Bryant's versatility, there are a few options, none make much sense for the Sox.

He's been mostly a third baseman in his major league career, with the vast majority of his starts coming there. But he's also played 172 games in the outfield and another 20 at first base.

The Red Sox would appear set at third base with Rafael Devers, despite his inconsistent play at the position. Both Chaim Bloom and Alex Cora have vowed that Devers will improve at the position, although there has been some discussion internally about flipping him across the infield for Bobby Dalbec, who was drafted as a third baseman.

Would the Sox trade for Bryant and then take a player whom they control for just 2021 -- for the time being, at least -- and usurp a homegrown player from his natural position? Highly doubtful.

OK, how about the outfield? Bryant has played plenty of left field in his career, and played it well. But again, the Sox appear set there with Andrew Benintendi. Sure, Benintendi could slide over to center -- currently vacant with free agent Jackie Bradley Jr. unlikely t0 return. Or he could be used as a trade chip for a starting pitcher with similar service time, upgrading their rotation.

But Benintendi is merely an average center fielder and would represent a considerable drop-off from Bradley at the position. And again, you'd have the optics of moving a homegrown player off his natural position for a player that is, for now, merely a one-year rental.

This would also be an exceedingly poor time to try to trade Benintendi. He's coming off a season in which he collected a grand total of just four hits....before being lost for most of the season with a rib injury. The Sox would be shopping him at a time when his value has never been lower.

In theory, the Sox could install Bryant at first base, use Dalbec as the DH and seek to trade J.D. Martinez. The latter course could be helped if MLB approves the DH for the National League in 2021. But if they move Martinez, coming off a career-worst season (.213/.291/.389), the Sox would surely have to eat a significant portion of the $38.7 million remaining on his final two years.

Say the Sox agreed to take back half of Martinez's money (approximately $19 million). Now, add in the $18.6 million projected for Bryant at the arbitration table, and you're talking about nearly $40 million in spending -- and that doesn't begin to take into account what the Sox would have to give up in player acquisition cost for Bryant.

Finally, there's the matter of fit. Bryant could be a one-year rental, but that doesn't make sense for a Red Sox team unlikely to be a serious contender for 2021. As for a long-term extension, that seems an odd fit, too.

The Red Sox just went through an unsuccessful contractual dance with Mookie Betts, before deciding to trade him before losing him as a free agent. Do they really want to inherit another veteran player --  one, incidentally, coming off his worst season (.206/.293/.351) and limited by injuries to a little more than half of last year's schedule -- about to enter the same situation?

Highly unlikely -- which means the talk of a deal for Bryant is just that.