The Chicago White Sox reportedly could prevent Kris Bryant from re-signing with the crosstown rival Cubs.
The Chicago Cubs blew things up at the trade deadline last season by trading thier big-name players, with Kris Bryant being one of them. After playing multiple positions, the team traded him to the San Francisco Giants. This offseason, Cubs fans were certainly hoping to bring back some of those players, Bryant included. But they should keep an eye on their crosstown rivals in the White Sox.
Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden tweeted out to watch for the White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Colorado Rockies to be in the market for an outfielder, with Bryant being listed as an option, when the lockout ends.
Could White Sox be in market for Kris Bryant?
Granted, Bowden did list three other outfield options between the three teams in Nick Castellanos, Michael Conforto and Seiya Suzuki. But with Bryant listed, the link is there for whenever the lockout reaches its conclusion, and White Sox fans would no doubt love to see Bryant join their team over the Cubs.
As mentioned earlier, Bryant really increased his trade value for the multiple positions he played in the first half of the season for Chicago. He played all three outfield positions, third base, first base and shortstop. Bryant was then traded to the Giants in exchange for prospects Alexander Canario and Caleb Kilian.
In 144 games between the Cubs and Giants, Bryant slashed .265/.353/.481 while recording 25 home runs, 73 RBI and 136 hits.
Spotrac projects Bryant’s market value at $23.5 million per year.
Whenever the lockout ends, could Bryant end up back in Chicago, but in a White Sox uniform? Well, we won’t know until Bryant agrees to terms with a team ahead of the 2022 season.