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Latest MLB Trade Odds Have Rockies’ Arenado at +170; Bryant, Lindor Longshots

Bryan Thiel

by Bryan Thiel in MLB Baseball

Updated Jul 21, 2020 · 8:50 PM PDT

Indians SS Francisco Lindor smiling on the field during warmup.
In a shortened 2020 season, could Francisco Lindor, Kris Bryant or Nolan Arenado get traded? Photo by Arturo Pardavila III (flickr).
  • Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant, and Francisco Lindor were the subjects of off-season trade rumors
  • Sportsbooks have released odds on whether or not any of them will be moved this season
  • We explore the best bets ahead of a shortened season

As Opening Day 2.0 draws closer for Major League Baseball, fans are getting set for a few things they have never seen.

A 60-game schedule, the universal DH, and the possibility of three super star-caliber players getting traded a month into the season.

MLB 2020 Trade Odds: Arenado, Bryant, Lindor

Player Odds To Be Traded Odds To Stay With Team
Nolan Arenado, COL -250 +170
Kris Bryant, CHI -500 +300
Francisco Lindor, CLE -350 +225

Odds as of July 21st. Players must be traded during 2020 regular season. 

The odds show that, of the three, Arenado is the most likely to be traded. There are a few reasons for that.

In the 2020 MLB win totals, four teams in the NL Central have an Over/Under of 30.5 or better. That means the Cubs could be contenders, or bottom-feeders. In the AL Central, the Indians have the second-best O/U behind the Twins. They’re a threat in the race for the division and the Wild Card.

The Rockies aren’t as lucky. Set to face the Dodgers, Astros ,and Athletics this year, they’re one of only four NL teams with a win total in the 20s.

Early Trade Deadline Complicates Moving Francisco Lindor

The Indians shortstop is among the best in baseball and a top-three contender in the AL MVP odds, so moving him isn’t something to take lightly.

But with the season starting July 23 and the trade deadline on August 31, it complicates things.

Cleveland has a strong rotation and pairing Lindor with Jose Ramirez gives them enough pop that, if the Twins stumble, Cleveland will strike.

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After this season, Lindor has one year of team control remaining, with contract negotiations going nowhere.

The Indians’ asking price will likely be astronomical, and it’s hard to see teams parting with that kind of a package this year. The way coronavirus numbers are trending in the US, there is no guarantee that the 2020 World Series takes place.

The Pick: Lindor is not traded (-350) 

Kris Bryant, Cubs Navigate Confusing Winter

Theo Epstein could have made significant changes to the Cubs roster after a disappointing end to 2019. But, outside of a few small additions and a couple of free agents leaving, nothing massive happened.

Rumors of the Cubs moving on from Bryant ran hot and cold. There were reports he wasn’t happy in Chicago and wanted out. In mid-February he set the record straight. Then this came out.

It seems like Epstein and company are content to run it back in Chicago with a wide open NL Central. Bryant looks to be secure with the Cubbies.

The Pick: Bryant is not traded (-500)

Contenders in Search of Help at Third

Nolan Arenado has not been quiet about his displeasure with the Rockies.

Arenado signed a massive extension ahead of 2019, thinking the team was committed to winning. Not even 12 months later, the All-Star third baseman was calling out the team’s brass for their inactivity.

 

Shortly after that, Bob Nightengale mentioned that the Rockies would likely put Arenado back on the block ahead of the trade deadline. Arenado seemed to agree.

The difference between Arenado and the other two is that the Rockies aren’t expected to compete this year. Plus, there are contenders that could use him.

While the Cardinals may not want to pay the hefty price this year, what about the Nationals? Staying in NL East, both the Braves and Phillies could could use upgrades too. Then there’s the Yankees and their infinite payroll.

All of the aforementioned teams ranked in the bottom half of BleacherReport’s rankings of third basemen in March. While it may be tough to move  bloated contracts like Arenado’s, he’s the most likely on the list to be on the move.

The Pick: Arenado is traded (+170)

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