Proposed MLB Trade Has Cubs Land Braves $212 Million Superstar in 'Dream'

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The Chicago Cubs are among the MLB’s top World Series contenders.

The Atlanta Braves season has been anything but ideal, prompting some ongoing MLB rumors about how the club will handle the July 31, 2025, trade deadline. One analyst is floating a wild idea for the Chicago Cubs to add a superstar bat to the mix, bolstering the team’s World Series chances.

To do so, the Cubs should look to a former World Series champion third baseman, at least according to Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer. The analyst put together a list of “dream” trades and makes the case for Atlanta hitting the reset button by dealing third baseman Austin Riley.

“They’re also in a tight spot with their payroll, as all those extensions have created a high floor of guaranteed dollars on a year-to-year basis,” Rymer noted in a June 18, 2025, story titled, “Dream Landing Spots for MLB’s High-Priced, Change of Scenery Stars Post-Devers Trade.”

“They ought to be thinking about who can go to create space, and Austin Riley is the best answer on two counts: The 28-year-old is making a lot of money, and he’s fallen into a weird sort of rut offensively.”

Here is the case for the Cubs making a push for Riley, not exactly a hard sell for any MLB club.

Cubs Landing Braves 2-Time All-Star Austin Riley Would Be a ‘Dream’ Trade

After 74 games, the Cubs sit atop the National League Central standings at 45-29. Chicago adding another slugger like Riley would be an intimidating move for the rest of NL.

“… They do (have enough hitting) for the most part, but third base has been a shockingly weak spot to the tune of a .557 OPS and a lone home run,” Rymar added. “It’s an area they should want to address, and even the current iteration of Riley would be a monumental upgrade.

“Moreover, getting him would give the Cubs some protection in the event Kyle Tucker walks as a free agent this winter. The two aren’t on the same level now, but that would be a different conversation if Riley recaptured his 2021-23 form.”

MLB Rumors: Why Would the Braves Trade Star 3B Austin Riley?

In a season that feels more like a nightmare, why would the Braves move on from Riley? The 2-time All-Star has been one of the few consistent bright spots for Atlanta.

Mississippi Spotlight: Austin Riley

-World Series champion with the Atlanta Braves (2021)
-2× All-Star (2022, 2023)
-3X Top 10 MVP finish
-1st round MLB out of DeSoto Central High School
-Was offered the chance to punt at Mississippi State as well as play baseball

Southaven,

The simplest answer is the Braves are unlikely to do so, which is why this is labeled a “dream” trade. But let’s humor Bleacher Report and play out a scenario where Atlanta angers the team’s fanbase by hitting the reset button and sending Riley packing.

The move would start from a financial perspective given Riley’s massive 10-year, $212 million contract runs through 2032, with a club option for 2033. Under this scenario, the Braves would likely be looking for a package of young prospects combined with players who can contribute now.

Atlanta would demand a haul for Riley even to consider trading the 2-time Silver Slugger. The Cubs do have three prospects hovering around the top-50 range, per MLB.com. Pitcher Cade Horton, outfielder Owen Caissie and slugger Moisés Ballesteros could all potentially be dangled as trade chips.

In addition to some package of prospects, Chicago would likely also need to include a veteran or two who can play right away if the Cubs are landing Riley in this hypothetical deal.

Would the Cubs & Braves Consider a Kyle Tucker Swap for Austin Riley?

Could the Braves push for outfielder Kyle Tucker given his uncertain future in Chicago? Tucker is on a one-year, $12 million contract with the Cubs and is headed for free agency in 2026. It would not exactly be a cost-savings move in the long run given Tucker is headed for a sizable payday.

Following Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s reported extension, BK asks the question:

What will Kyle Tucker command in free agency?

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden estimates that Tucker will become the MLB’s third-highest paid player. If Chicago is skeptical about Tucker’s price tag, Riley could be a nice consolation prize.

“This year’s MLB free-agent class will be highlighted by Kyle Tucker, who is expected to become the third-highest-paid player in baseball history behind Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani,” Bowden wrote on May 21, story titled, “Top 50 potential MLB free agents for 2025-26 offseason: Will Tucker, Bregman hit it big?

“… Following Juan Soto’s record-setting $765 million deal in free agency and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million extension, Tucker is expected to land a nine-figure contract that starts with a 6. Several big-market teams, including the Cubs, Phillies, Yankees and Dodgers, should be in play for him.”

Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams