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Report: Nationals considering trading for Cubs' Bryant

Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Washington Nationals are considering a trade with the Chicago Cubs for All-Star third baseman Kris Bryant, sources told Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

The Nationals are actively looking to upgrade on the offensive side of the ball and are also reportedly interested in free-agent infielder DJ LeMahieu.

Meanwhile, the Cubs are expected to be open for business. Bryant and several other veteran players - including Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez - could be moved via trade this offseason.

Bryant, the second overall selection in the 2013 draft, is coming off an injury-plagued 2020 season in which he scuffled to a .206/.293/.351 slash line with four home runs in 34 games. But the former 2015 NL Rookie of the Year and 2016 MVP is still a formidable hitter when healthy. Bryant hit .282 with a .903 OPS and 31 home runs over 147 games in 2019.

It is unclear which players would head the other way.

The Nationals struggled to get production out of the hot corner this summer when Asdrubal Cabrera and Carter Kieboom stumbled as the club's primary third basemen. Cabrera is now a free agent, and while Kieboom was one of Washington's top prospects, he hit .202/.344/.212 with no home runs in 122 plate appearances this past campaign.

Washington recently re-signed infielder Josh Harrison on a one-year pact but he can play multiple positions and will likely serve in more of a utility role.

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