Kris Bryant Remains Open to Extension, Shares Story of ‘Welcome to the Mets’ Text
Though many people remain doubtful for some reason, Kris Bryant really is amenable to a contract extension with the Cubs. That was the case when he came up a day after the service-time deadline in 2015, it was true when a grievance was filed on his behalf, and it remains true to this day. Bryant has repeated that truth frequently and did so again when asked about it Thursday at Cubs camp.
“I can kind of sound like a broken record…I’ve always said I’ve been open and willing to hear whatever — Jed now — has to say and take it with open arms and consider everything that’s thrown my way,” the third baseman told reporters. “I think I’ve communicated that to them.”
The idea that Bryant doesn’t want to stay stems mainly from a misinterpretation of his agent and the motives for the aforementioned grievance. But this isn’t a matter of Scott Boras pulling the strings and forcing Bryant to do something and the grievance wasn’t a way to hasten Bryant’s departure. Neither claim holds water and both need to be killed with fire.
Speaking of mistaken reports or interpretations, there was a lot of buzz this winter regarding talks with the Mets about a possible deal. Many of those came from an outlet that just so happens to be owned by the Mets and that is known for pushing out dubious information.
Interesting. Kris Bryant says during the offseason he saw the rumor that he was going to be traded in 48 hours. Then he got a text this offseason that said "Welcome to the Mets". He called his agent, Scott Boras and talked to Jed who let him know that was incorrect. #Cubs
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) February 25, 2021
One particular rumor was that Bryant could be traded within the next 48 hours, after which the former MVP received a text from an unfamiliar Connecticut number that said, “Welcome to the Mets.” That was obviously not accurate, as Bryant quickly learned from Boras and Jed Hoyer, but who the hell had his number and would see fit to troll him like that?
Though it’s possible it was a fellow player who Bryant isn’t about to throw under the bus, he’s way too wholesome to lie publicly about that.
Hoyer is expected to sit down with Bryant and other players whose deals are set to expire at the end of the year, namely Javy Báez and Anthony Rizzo, to discuss long-term deals this spring. Even with the Cubs tightening the budgetary reins a bit this season, there’s enough money coming off the books for 2022 to make extensions more than palatable.
Now it’s just a question of whether the sides can come to an agreement on terms, which will be about more than just money. Maybe there are some other little wrinkles in a potential deal that carry more value than can be expressed financially. For Bryant, that probably means a no-trade clause.
Whatever happens, it’s clear at this point that it won’t be due to a lack of desire on Bryant’s part to get something done.
