The Cubs wouldn’t be so cruel as to name Kris Bryant their leadoff hitter and then trade him, would they?
If they would be so cruel, would a trade be crueler to Bryant or to all the Cubs fans who love him?
The answers, in order, are:
— Yes, the Cubs would trade him, given the right offer, though it seems more unlikely now than it did a month ago … that is, unless they get off to a bad start. If that happens, he’ll probably be the first Cubs player to go before the trade deadline, with that pesky luxury tax being such a burr under chairman Tom Ricketts’ saddle.