MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 27: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs looks on from the dugout before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 27, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
If the Chicago Cubs want to bring back Kris Bryant in free agency, they should sell him on these three points.
The Chicago Cubs had to make a choice that many sports franchises hate making, and that is to sell all of their good players at the trade deadline. Even though there was a glimmer of hope at the beginning of the 2021 season, an 11-game losing streak gave team president Jed Hoyer the incentive to begin trading their players of value to contenders. One of said athletes that was traded on July 30 was utility man Kris Bryant.
At the end of the season, Bryant is set to become an unrestricted free agent. Hence why the Cubs decided to go forward with their fire sale and trade him to the San Francisco Giants. Even though Bryant was traded, there is always the possibility that the Cubs can bring him back on a new contract. But it will require some selling points.
Here are three that the Cubs should throw Bryant’s way to convince him to ink a long-term deal with the Cubs.
3. Give him a huge contract
This would be the easiest selling point that the Cubs can have. Give Bryant the contract he wants.
Even though Bryant’s production is far from his 2016 NL MVP form, he is having himself quite a solid season. Not only is he putting up solid numbers at the plate, but he has the versatility to play both the infield and the outfield.
Through 112 games between both the Cubs and the San Francisco Giants this season, Bryant is slashing .268/.353/.504 while recording 22 home runs, 61 RBI, 69 runs scored and 107 hits.
So what will the Cubs have to pay Bryant this upcoming winter? Well, Spotrac lists Bryant’s market value at a $22.5 million annual salary on a six-year, $137.8 million contract. It will no doubt cost a lot more, especially if he generates a large market of suitors.
Either way, if the Cubs want to bring back one of Bryant, Javier Baez or Anthony Rizzo, they will have to overpay. But overpaying will certain be one of the more effective selling points the Cubs can make.
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