Dodgers: Yu Darvish-Kris Bryant trade package with Cubs should be explored

Yu Darvish is now reportedly on the trade block. Should the Dodgers be interested?

Alright, before anyone loses it, just hear us out. We know the Yu Darvish wound is still very much open among Los Angeles Dodgers fans, but the right-hander seems to be a completely new man right now. And if the Chicago Cubs are serious about trading him, it’s at least worth exploring.

The Dodgers’ rotation is pretty much set with Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, David Price, Dustin May, Julio Urias and Tony Gonsolin, but adding Darvish, whose elbow problems are now a thing of the past, could give LA an even better chance to repeat as World Series champions.

On top of that? They could inquire about the availability of Kris Bryant, package those two in a trade, and pay significantly less in terms of assets than it would cost to acquire, say, Luis Castillo from the Reds or Blake Snell from the Rays. Bryant would fill a need at third base for one year and Darvish would slot into the rotation for the next three.

The Cubs honestly don’t have a ton of leverage in negotiations, either. Their tense relations with Bryant have been very public and he’ll be taking home likely over $20 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility before he hits free agency.

As for Darvish, he’s on the hook for $59 million through 2023. Yes, he’s coming off a Cy Young-caliber campaign in the shortened 2020 season, but with Chicago looking to reduce payroll, they won’t exactly have the upper hand here, either. At least it feels that way.

Though this would add over $40 million to the Dodgers’ payroll for 2021, they had over $50 million come off the books when free agency began, so it’s not like they’d be making any prohibitive additions.

These potential financial commitments are short term, which would allow the Dodgers to reassess when they face more pressing questions next offseason. For now, trading for Darvish and Bryant could put those concerns on the back burner and make the prospect of repeating as world champs the forefront of the focus.

If the Dodgers can afford it from a financial perspective and pay for this package at a discount with their other assets, it’s hard not to view that as a colossal win. While we understand some fans’ hesitation with Darvish after the 2017 trade, perhaps his performance over the last two years can make those worries dissipate.

After all, he won’t be asked to shoulder the burden. He’d have three other ace-like arms by his side.

Should Dodgers bet on Eugenio Suarez instead of Nolan Arenado?

Should the Los Angeles Dodgers pursue Eugenio Suarez if the Reds are willing to blow it all up? Nolan Arenado might not be moving.