With the Cubs selling off established players on the big league roster, Kris Bryant is one of the game’s most obvious trade candidates. The 29-year-old is slated to hit free agency this winter, and past extension discussions with the Cubs haven’t resulted in a deal.
Even if Bryant does wind up changing uniforms in the next few days, he’d remain open to returning to the North Side via free agency. “Oh yeah, absolutely,” Bryant replied when asked if he’d be willing to sign with the Cubs this winter if they trade him midseason (via Patrick Mooney of the Athletic). “Like I’ve said, I love this place. It’s all I’ve known. The familiarity of being here and this city and the people make it a lot easier to say, ‘Yeah, of course, I’d love to play here.”
That’s not to say such a situation is likely. The Cubs haven’t spent at particularly high levels in free agency over the past few seasons, and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has previously spoken about there being inevitable turnover on the roster in 2022 and beyond. Bryant also didn’t give any indication he’d take any sort of discount to return to Chicago.
Nevertheless, it’s at least a bit notable the former NL MVP would be happy to return to the Cubs after being traded if that situation happened to present itself. Bryant’s willingness to stay in Chicago beyond his initial window of team control has been the subject of some speculation since the Cubs held him in the minors to open the 2015 season in order to gain an extra year of control over his services. Bryant’s camp filed a grievance (which he ultimately lost), although the four-time All-Star has perennially maintained that situation would not preclude him from signing a long-term deal with the Cubs.
It remains to be seen where Bryant will end up for the season’s final couple months, although it seems a near certainty he’ll be traded. Jeff Passan of ESPN reported this morning that the Rays had had “preliminary discussions” about a potential Bryant acquisition.
He won’t
He could. There’s a lot to be said of being comfortable. He’s been in Chicago for quite a long time. If and when he’s traded, I honk he’s be open to signing back. Whether he gives a discount or not, we will see. Cubs just trying to reset the cap money right now. Next year they will spend again. I hope
9 out of 10 dentist say players go to wherever they are paid the most money.
Why are will polling dentists on baseball trends?
I agree 100%!
Someone remind me, does Scott Boras do discounts?
White Sox got Carlos Rodon for $3 million.
They won’t get rondon for that next year 🙂
Rodon and Bryant return to the White Sox!
You are one of the few who realize that resetting the cap is what the Cubs have been working toward since they were swept out of the playoffs at home last year.
The Cubs have had him on the trading block for nearly two years now without entering into any extension talks. To me that’s a pretty good sign they are going another direction. It’s the right thing to say and it’s good that he said it given what they accomplished in 2016 but historically it’s extremely rare. You think of all the trades that go down and I can remember a couple situations worth noting where that happened.
I love all the fan fiction thats going on but how do you know that no extension talks have been going on? People love to build all these dramatic storyline but you have no clue what’s gone one behind the scenes
Theo offering him 10/250 wasn’t a extension talk?
I honk to disagree.
After filing a grievance against the Cubs for “service time”, he’s not going to give a home discount to return if traded. What else is he supposed to say to the reporter when asked would he return? Bryant has left the building!
LFGM
He could or sign with A,s if they go to Vegas
BuT tHeY bUrNeD a BrIdGe WhEn ThEy MaNiPuLaTeD hIs SeRvIcE tImE!
Yeah it’s just not happening.
Ridiculous
If he’s still upset over that then he needs some serious therapy
Why do people keep saying that? He’s said time and time again, he holds no grudge with the Cubs over that. Let it go.
Exactly. He stated that in his rookie year and understands that it’s just business. Then the pot was stirred again when he lost his grievance through the MLBPA and he reiterated the same thing.
It cost KB a TON of money.
No, if they hadn’t manipulated service time he probably would have received and accepted a qualifying offer. KB tanked in 2020.
Didnt him and his all-star agent end up suing the Cubs over the service time issue? Another non-story – interview given to a Cubs beat writer. What’s Bryant supposed to say?
He was compelled to file a grievance by the MLBPA. He’s the Cubs rep. He has always and repeatedly said he holds no grudge and it was just part of the process.
Thankfully a few informed fans/readers!
He could have easily been far more cagey in his response
@ RemovePitcherWinsFromTheRecordBooks;
Sick of the service time nonsense. The man’s not going on relief. Nothing the Cubs did violented the rules, And aren’t the players and their agents (especially Bryant’s agent) sticklers for the rules and only too quick to take advantage of them when they benefit their interests? And didn’t his agent sue over that and lose?
As for Bryant, he’s a very good player. But baseball is not structured like other team sports. A position player can only bat once every 9 hitters, and only field the ball if it’s hit or thrown to him. Starting pitchers can only throw 100 or so pitches every 5 games. Back-end bullpen guys can only throw 60-70, maybe 80 innings a year.
Few players make large impacts on their team’s success. The structure of the game limits what they can do. Bryant is a nice player. Good to have. But he’s not going into the HOF unless something drastic happens in his career. He’s a “superstar” like Manny Machado’s a “superstar”. We’re not talking Ken Griffey, Jr. here.
I agree.
They actually done Bryant a favor with the service time issue. He was a mess in 2020. The sport was in the middle of a pandemic. He wouldn’t have got as much in free agency last year as he will this year.
The Cubs could’ve very well gave him a QO which he may have taken and is very close to his arb salary this year.
Agreed I honestly would choose Baez over him
¡No tHeY dIdN’t. MoThInG tHeY dId WaS iLlEaGaL!
He already said that the service time thing didn’t bother him. Let it go.
I think a lot of you don’t realize that tYpInG lIkE tHiS means he’s mocking those who fly off the handle at that idea. From the looks of it though you’ve definitely been the target of a few of these in the past.
I’m so glad the comments section has been opened back up so I can watch a bunch of grown men argue with themselves. Y’all look silly.
Don’t see a way he returns but don’t think that’ll have anything to do with it. That’s an issue he had with the CBA not the Cubs. Every team manipulates service times. I wasn’t a fan of them claiming he needed to go back to work on his defense then calling him up the day after he’d have been eligible but the end result is the same.
Does service time count when you sit with tired legs ?
Troll – guy has played 1B/3B/LF/CF/RF and just about everyday this first half and got two days off to get a physical/mental reset – go troll on the Sox articles.
But they live to troll CUB articles.
Yah right
If a team were to trade for him now thinking he wants to go back to the Cubs, does that lower his trade value? I’m sure teams wont offer as much for him if they dont think they could resign him, so could this be his revenge for the service time thing in 2015?
No, when you trade for a rental the package surrendered reflects the fact that he is a rental. You don’t bake in some sort of expectation that he will stay just because you traded for him.
Majority of the buyers have no desire to give him a large amount of money for a large amount of years. But his 2022 plans should have no effect on trade value.
Lol. You know this how?
Cubs will have a lot of holes to fill. I don’t see Jed doing a high AAV contract right off the bat
Hi Anthony,
Can you please kindly fix the sentence between the word ‘the Rays’ & ‘preliminary’, you put ‘had’ twice? Thanks!
“Jeff Passan of ESPN reported this morning that the Rays ‘had had’ “preliminary discussions” about a potential Bryant acquisition”.
Rays: is Bryant available?
Cubs; yes
Preliminary discussion
This is grammatically correct, so there is no reason to fix it. To have something in the past means can be reflected as “you had had it.”
The first had refers to previously, such as “This had happened.”
The second had refers to the past tense of have, such as, “He had it.”
`If I am the Cubs … I offer Bryant 5 years @ $70 million. Team option after first year. Player option after second year. Dare him not to take it! He may not see a deal this big on the free agent market.
What kind of drugs are you on?
Some very cheap ones apparently.
This is a generous overpay for a guy who cannot stay healthy! What’s he hitting the last 2 months????? What did he hit last year????? The year before that?????
Bryant has had a 126 wRC+ or higher every single season of his career except last season, an outlier of all outlier seasons. He has had over 600 PAs every year except last year and 2018. He can stay healthy. He can play 5 positions. He is only 29. He is getting at least $200mm. Sorry to burst your bubble.
Dude, crack is whack.
I’m sure his agent has an idea who’d be bidding. Boras knows teams financials…that’s why he only deals with owners when discussing huge contracts.
Then why did the White Sox get Carlos Rodon for $3 million?
Because he was non-tendered and sat on the FA bench for 2 mo.
Cause rodon was worth 3 million
Very Barry – you are either a troll or very misinformed. Rodon did not pitch well in 2019/20 (a combined 41 innings pitched on his behalf). He seems to finally be healthy, but if any team thought he would pitch like this he would’ve been scooped up…
Dude… this is not even close to what he is worth on the open market.
Schwarber is/was worth more than 5/70 and Bryant is substantially more valuable.
5/120 is starting bid IMO
Cub fans are delusional on Bryant’s value. He cannot stay healthy and hasn’t produced for several years. Again …. What’s this guy hitting the past 2 months???? Prior to Schwarber’s injury this year with the Nats …… his value had surpassed Bryant’s. Bryant is 29 years old. All the injuries he has had gives him the body of a 35 year old. Why you paying a bunch of guaranteed years for that???
We get it. You hate Kris Bryant but you’re not going to convince many others to feel the same.
4.8 fwar in 2019, 2.7 this year, but yeah, it’s, “cub fans” that are delusional.
As long as he’s on the block I think he’s the MVP
Stop being a white Sox troll, they’ve infested the site
Bryant wants Rendon money. Cubs are going with other teams high pick bust outs like Wisdom for third and the one they obtained yesterday from the A’s to replace Rizzo.. Boras wants 10-300 for Bryant. No way Cubs are in on anything like this. I would not be surprised to see Bryant end up like Keuchel and Kimbrel a few years ago not having a contract to start 2022.
BTW Bart for Bryant and Tepera is like an early Christmas present for the Cubs. I’d be all over it if I was Jed.
Typical Cub fan reasoning.
Absolutely willing if he gets harpers Phillies contact. But he won’t
Bryant will sign with Phillies this off season.
I mean, what’s he gonna say? There is no reason for him to eliminate one of the large market teams from his potential free agent suitors.
If traded he ain’t coming back… I see Rizzo doing it but not Bryant…
If they clean house, he would be foolish not to entertain all options. I agree, he has to say what he has politically, but a good contract with a great contending team sounds too tempting not to weigh hard.
Say what they want. If any of the big 3 get traded, They won’t come back unless it’s in the other dugout!
Dumb question to ask him. Of course he’s gonna say that! Lmao at desperate TR writers!
Of course he is going to say that. I can only think of one player (Gerrit Cole) who basically flat out said he wouldn’t come back (Pittsburgh). Bryant bad mouthing the Cubs today can affect his future earnings tomorrow
I think this years FA class which has such big names will find themselves with underwhelming offers.
So many players are showing declines after a massive contract is signed. Look at Francisco Lindor batting in the .220’s with many years above $30 million ahead of him. Miguel Cabrera, Joe Mauer, Chris Davis, the list goes on.
Many of the big names coming are having underwhelming seasons before Free Agency. There is no way a GM throws $30 million at many of them including Bryant. I expect something in the neighborhood slightly north of Josh Donaldson with more years. Incredible talent, but already a notable drop off in his numbers.
Which is why if I am the Cubs …. I offer 5 years @ $70 million and dare him not to take it! And Yes …. Team Option after the first year. This guy has to prove he can stay healthy! Player Option after the second year. Dare him not to take it!!!! And put a deadline on him as well.
I flagged your stupid repeat comments. You’re all welcomed.
if his kids are going to school in chicago he will be back.
His kid is 1 so I don’t think school is a big worry right now.
Junior is a prodigy. LOL!
Didn’t Lester say the same thing about Boston?? Has he ever been back to Fenway as a visiting player since he got traded in 2014??
This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever read on this site.
Yes, VeryBarry has been muted – troll or too ignorant for normal life, either way not worth the response.
We have all learned in our lives that you need to say what needs to be said, true or not. Bryant may very well be honest here, but this needs to be said to preserve his standing in the hearts of the Cub fans. If he returns, then all is well in Chitown, if he goes elsewhere, they still love him. Well played, Mr. Bryant. I like it.
The way the Cubs manipulated his service time he should FAKE an injury to get even with them, then they would have a hard time trading an injured player. It would serve the Cubs right.
Right. That’ll show them! Who cares if he tanks his own impending free agency. Bryant will have the last laugh.
If he did that then the Cubs would still get a 1st comp pick next year.
Yea teams are gonna lineup to give a payday to a guy faking an injury out of spite. Ridiculous. Manipulating service time isn’t even disallowed. Faking injuries is. Bryant isn’t that dumb or dishonest.
Yea teams are gonna lineup to give a payday to a guy faking an injury out of spite. Ridiculous. Manipulating service time isn’t even disallowed. Faking injuries is. Bryant isn’t that dumb or dishonest.
Makes him worth about 2 Low A player’s…
Keeps his stupid trap shut and he is worth 2 starters and 2 HIGH prospects
…
Him saying this has nothing to do with the return the Cubs will get. Teams can’t assume that he would re-sign with them. In most cases, they just want him as a rental, and nothing more. You won’t get more than 1 high prospect and a couple low-mid prospects. That’s the way it works.
Very rarely will a player go back when he’s traded and becomes a free agent months later.
Chapman……… However I generally agree with you. Could see Rizzo being traded and return after seeing low offers. Hes an unusal case. Boston is at the brink of the tax or they would deal for him
That’s because usually the player’s original team either can’t afford to bring him back or just isn’t interested in bringing him back at that price point. I’ll bet you can’t name even ONE player who was traded during (or even the offseason before) his contract year and then refused to sign with his original team specifically BECAUSE they traded him.
Bryant to the A’s, then A’s relocate to Vegas
Now ….. a franchise in Las Vegas would be a path for a paycheck for Bryant. Too bad that Bryant’s free agency didn’t line up with Las Vegas getting a franchise.
If Kris Bryant truly wants to remain in Chicago and prioritize winning another championship his best bet would be to sign with the White Sox. The ChiSox could use a high OBP/OPS bat in their lineup, have a clear opening in RF and would welcome his defensive versatility. Bryant also possesses the character traits they prefer in their clubhouse.
Speaking on behalf of the White Sox …… We Have No Interest In Trading For Kris Bryant!! No Place For Him To Play! No interest in him in right field whatsoever!
Can he play 2nd? I’d take Bryant at 2nd over Leury Garcia or Danny Mendick
They will swing a deal for someone. With Eloy back and the team they have I doubt they stand pat. Think Asdrubal went on the DL. He would fit.
@Very Barry
I was speaking on behalf of many White Sox fans.
I also didn’t suggest a deadline trade for Kris Bryant was at all likely, although it certainly isn’t out of the realm of possibility with the team reportedly looking at other Cubs this week including Craig Kimbrel. A FA deal to sign Bryant this offseason is a more distinct possibility.
Fact is, you’ve already shown incredible ignorance on this comment thread with your takes on Bryant. It’s the kind of remark I would expect from an uneducated troll and you certainly obliged.
Which many White Sox fans do you speak for? Are they box fans or the rotating kind?
What would be the part of signing Kris Bryant to a long term contract at or around $22 to $28 million to play right field when Cespedes will be ready sometime next time to play that position while the White Sox need to figure if they want to obtain Carlos Rodon?
White Sox fans are hoping that Yoelqui Cespedes can solve the RF black hole that’s pretty much been in place since Adam Eaton departed following the 2016 season. Oscar Colas is another Cuban international FA who will also be in the White Sox system when the next signing period commences in January.
That said, Cespedes has struggled a bit in his visa delayed pro debut at A+ Winston-Salem. There’s no guarantee that he will be ready for prime time in 2022 or even beyond that. Colas has at least as much ‘potential’ as Cespedes as an OF but will also be a year behind in his own development. They are highly regarded talents but still ‘prospects’ until they can prove otherwise.
On the other hand, Kris Bryant is a proven MVP caliber player who is still very much in his prime at 29. The White Sox window to win is wide open now and will hopefully stay that way for at least 4 or 5 more years when many of their team friendly extension begin to expire. They front office might be willing to add Bryant by signing him to a FA contract commensurate with that window.
The White Sox were willing to spend an even higher amount of dollars trying to woo FA Manny Machado during the 2018-2019 offseason when they were seemingly set in their infield with Yoan Moncada transitioning to 3B, Tim Anderson set at SS and #1 Draft pick Nick Madrigal soon to be their future second baseman. The White Sox front office didn’t want to pass on a talent like Machado despite the promise of those other young players and that was a year or two before they were even ready to contend for the postseason. If they were willing to make that kind of investment while still rebuilding why wouldn’t they also consider paying Bryant this offseason if they truly believed he was the final piece to get them to the promised land?
Echo that Very Barry. Sure Bryant’s a swell dude and all but the OF is full if Eloy and Robert are back.
All full except, with Madrigal out for the year, a rental 2nd baseman would be good. If Bryant can play 2b, his bat would be an improvement over the platoon currently filling in there
Kris Bryant is a World Champion why would he want to go to White Sox ?
Be gone troll
All you guys are missing what is being said between the lines by Kris Bryant here. Which is …. Scott Boras has called everyone in the league and there is not a lot of interest in my services if it requires several guaranteed years at a high AAV. Thus, I cannot eliminate the team that owes me money from the years that i was underpaid, and that screwed me with service time. They still could be the team with the highest offer and most number of years. The reason he hasn’t been traded yet is because there is no market for Kris Bryant. Wasn’t one last year. Ain’t one this year either. If there ain’t no trade market for this guy ….. why would there be a robust free agent market for him????
Do you ever get tired of being wrong?
There is even less interest in your services, as a silly moron who posts dumb things constantly.
Lip service. He might consider their offer, but will only sign with the highest bidder.
You’re right. Its about the money. I said I thought he was worth 18.5 a year during the offseason. With inflation now 20.. Bryant and his agent are in for a rude awakening. this offseason along with Baez and Rizzo. I’d jump at Bart. Ride Contreras until next deadline and move him and plug Bart in. The rebuild starts. Watch Baez stay and get a QO in the offseason too,
This column by Patrick Mooney is exactly why I canceled my subscription to the Athletic. There Chicago Cubs writers act more like fan boys than legitimate writers. What did they think Kris Bryant was going to say, no I don’t want to go back to the Cubs. Idiotic column
Bryant can talk all he wants, it doesn’t matter. The Cubs would have already extended him if they planned on keeping him beyond free agency. He gone folks.
Blah blah blah. What he said. Ricketts has no interest in a long term deal for any of the core, unless it’s on their terms. He already has his Mall of Wrigleyville real estate empire set up, and after recovering from his biblical losses, is all set to milk the cash cow of the steady stream of tourists from Iowa, Nebraska and Middle Earth. Business is good.
Kris Bryant’s already made a boatload of money just through arbitration. He’s certainly not giving the Cubs a ‘hometown’ discount as a FA either, not after the whole service time issue along with the fact that the Northsiders aren’t exactly primed to win in the near future. That said, Bryant doesn’t strike me as the kind of person or player who will just go to the highest bidder.
Bryant has a young family to consider now with his one-year old son. I do believe he will place a priority on the best possible destination for himself and his family. He might prioritize a team out west because he still calls Las Vegas his home. I’m sure he will also prioritize winning which would give him some nice options out west with the Dodgers, Padres and Giants in the NL alone.
Bryant might also like to reunite with Joe Maddon in Anaheim and potentially be the guy that finally helps put Mike Trout into the postseason. It’s not as if the Angels aren’t willing to pony up for huge FA contracts, right? They already have two of MLB’s biggest superstars in Trout and two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani. The Angels also splurged on 3B Anthony Rendon who put up All-Star/MVP caliber numbers with the Nats through 2019.
Perhaps Bryant might also like to finally reunite with his Vegas pal Bryce Harper in Philadelphia, another team struggling to win but not exactly lacking superstars or the willingness to dish out mega FA contracts.
Finally, if Bryant really does like Chicago as he claimed, why not the White Sox? I can’t think of another team in baseball that is a better lock to reach the postseason in the next 4-5 years than the ChiSox with their elite talent and the crap division they play in. We all know that you can’t win a World Series without securing a playoff spot. Your odds for a title also increase as a division winner as opposed to being a wild card team.
Angels better spend that money on pitching. How many offensive mega deals can they hand out?
Lol him staying doesn’t mean the Cubs can re sign him anyways, so really what’s the diff.
dumb post. of course he is going to say that.
I’m lost on Bryant’s defensive versatility. Everyone talks like he is a good fielder no matter where he plays. It’s just the opposite, isn’t it? He is pretty much a liability in the field, but the Cubs cannot afford to have that bat on the bench. He reminds of the Cardinals and Matt Carpenter, of course back when Carpenter could actually hit. Kept moving him around to fill a spot when needed and played third as his default position. I don’t think his versatility is that positive. Just because a guy plays a position doesn’t mean he plays well there.
Bryant isn’t THAT bad, but you have a point. Most modern “utility” guys are just equally bad at several positions.
That likely applies to virtually any versatile MLB player including noted super-utility ones like Tony Phillips, Jose Valentin, Bip Roberts, Chone Figgins, Ben Zobrist and Marwin Gonzalez. I’d take Kris Bryant’s bat over any of these highly versatile player. Your comment plays into the “jack of all trades, master of none debate”.
It’s the ability to play multiple positions that makes him attractive. You have versatility, not a gold glove at any position. Most of the multi-position players do not give the offensive production Bryant does.
I know folks get very put off by this opinion, but the ability to play third, left and right does not constitute “utility”. A lot of good fielding third basemen could probably be COFs. And basically anyone can play first base. Bryant’s value may be slightly higher because ha can play OF but his value goes down if he’s an everyday left fielder as opposed to third baseman.
Aside from 3B, Kris Bryant has played all 3 OF positions and also 1B with ample frequency. He even appeared at SS once. I’d say he qualifies as an extremely versatile MLB player.
Play him in center or at SS much and you’ll regret it. Anyone can play first base. Wilmer Flores has played SS and third. But you don’t want him there for your team.
Translation: Sure I’d re-sign with the Cubs, if they offer me the most money. Having another bidder is a good thing for me as well.