Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) bats against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
When the MLB lockout does eventually end, the Cubs could be in on Kris Bryant. The former franchise cornerstone could return to the North Side.
FanSided’s own Robert Murray reported on Tuesday that there was mutual interest between the two sides, via the Baseball Insiders podcast.
“That is something I’ve been working on behind the scenes. I was told by somebody who would know Chicago: ‘I would not rule it out.’ And it’s been on my mind ever since. I’m tracking that one …. I do think Kris Bryant going back to Chicago is a realistic scenario. And the number you threw out – 27, 28 million bucks – makes a whole lotta sense ….,” Murray reported.
So, why would Bryant consider a Chicago return just months after they dealt him elsewhere?
Cubs: Kris Bryant has good relationship with Jed Hoyer
Bryant and the Cubs front office didn’t always get along, but once it became clear that Hoyer and Co. were going to trade him elsewhere, they made up for it.
KB expressed admiration over how Hoyer handled trade talks, as he dealt each core member of the Cubs to a new home that benefitted each of them individually. Javy Baez was sent to Queens to play with his good friend, Francisco Lindor. Anthony Rizzo has family in New York, so the Yankees were a good landing spot. Craig Kimbrel’s son has a heart condition, so a deal with the White Sox allowed the closer to stay in Chicago.
As for Bryant, he has family out West, so a trade to San Francisco allowed him to spend more time at home as well. Hoyer’s decision-making went under the radar, and perhaps won’t go unnoticed in the near future if Bryant opts to return to Chicago.