Dodgers and Cubs are perfect trade partners for Kris Bryant
Why Kris Bryant fits perfectly in Los Angeles
Offensively, Kris Bryant is exactly what the Dodgers are looking for. Over the last three seasons, Bryant has slashed .317/.429/.610 against southpaw pitching which is an OPS of 1.039. With left-handed sluggers such as Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy in the middle of the order, Bryant would give the Dodgers another lefty masher to go with Justin Turner and A.J. Pollock (Yes, Pollock mashed lefties in 2019).
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Defensively, Kris Bryant struggles at third base, but if the Dodgers had to play him there they could. Bryant had a UZR/150 rating of -1.5 in 2019 with a DRS of -7. Kris also played first base, left field, and right field in 2019 so he has the type of defensive versatility that Andrew Friedman loves. Depending on the lineup for a given day, the Dodgers could play Bryant at either of the four positions. He could be used at third base to give Justin Turner more days off in 2020.
The Dodgers would have Kris Bryant’s bat in their lineup for the next season or two and he would help push their lineup over the top. Given how the Dodgers tend to struggle with runners in scoring position during the postseason, Bryant would be a welcome addition to the top of LA’s batting order as well given his .401 on-base percentage when leading off over the last three seasons.
From a financial standpoint, Bryant’s projected salary of $18.5 million would fit nicely into the Dodgers’ payroll. It would still leave roughly $20 million in spending space so even if the Dodgers wished to stay under the tax line, they would have plenty of room to take on in-season upgrades in 2020. If it is true that the Dodgers are willing to go over the tax line, a big-time addition through the trade market would still be possible after adding Bryant.