The Major League Baseball lockout is over after 99 days. It is time to take a deep breathe right? Wrong. Free agency started immediately after the owners ratified the agreement. With that, the lobbying and deal making has begun. Kris Bryant is an intriguing free agent with connections around the league.
Teams are going to be in a hurry to fill holes, get players to the facility and begin spring training with less than a month to ramp up before real games start.
Reigning National League Most Valuable Player Bryce Harper has stated his desire to play with childhood friend Kris Bryant. Bryant and Harper grew up playing baseball together and are neighbors in their off-season Las Vegas homes.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, Bryce Harper has been actively lobbying the Philadelphia Phillies to sign Kris Bryant.
2021 Kris Bryant
Kris Bryant split time between the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants due to a midseason trade. In his age 29 season, Bryant hit .265/.353/.481 which are below his career averages of .278/.376/.504. Bryant split time between the outfield and third base. With young prospect Alec Bohm coming off a down season, Bryant could become the needed mentor for Bohm and also provide rest for the youngster.
Any signing of Bryant will come at a hefty price but Phillies management has previously stated they are willing to spend money for the right players.
Kris Bryant is not the only Phillies option as the brass tries to fill holes at 3B (depending on Bohm’s performance) and additional power and defense in the outfield. With big names still out there and money getting ready to flow, it will be an interesting few days.
