The Washington Nationals were among the teams interested in trading for Kris Bryant, but they may be moving on.
Washington has a big hole to fill at third base since losing Anthony Rendon in free agency. Jon Heyman says the Nats are giving Carter Kieboom a shot to replace Rendon at third and that the team is not in talks with the Chicago Cubs about Bryant.
Nats are giving top prospect Carter Kieboom a shot to replace a Rendon at 3B. No current talks on Bryant. Cubs wanted either Robles or some combo of RHP Rutledge, SS Garcia and Kieboom. Not an unreasonable ask but considering price (tax) and potential ultimately decided no.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 20, 2020
Heyman further notes the Nats did not check on Nolan Arenado, because if they wanted to pay that kind of money to a third baseman, they would have just re-signed Rendon.
Nats never inquired on Arenado. He has bigger contract than Nats offered Rendon (they bid 210M/7 with some deferrals) and they like Rendon better. So why give up prospects too? Had they wanted to spend 234-245 they would have given it to Rendon.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 20, 2020
Bryant was part of trade rumors all offseason as the Cubs looked to shake things up, but they will move forward with the 2016 NL MVP. Interestingly, Bryant is expected to bat in a new spot in the order for the upcoming season.
Bryant rebounded from a rough 2018 season when he was bothered by a shoulder injury to hit .282 with 31 homers and a .903 OPS in 147 games last season.
In addition to the 22-year-old Kieboom, the Nats have Asdrubal Cabrera who can play third.
