Report on a Chicago Cubs, Kris Bryant Reunion: “I would not rule it out”

Robert Murray and Mark Carman had Chicago Sun-Times Cubs beat reporter Russell Dorsey on their podcast today, which makes for an interesting listen regardless of any specifics. But it was certainly a specific set of comments from Murray that happened to catch all of our ears today.

The trio were discussing the Cubs’ offseason so far, as well as the departures of certain core members of the team, and Murray clearly had something he wanted to drop into the discussion.

Murray said he was happy that Kris Bryant had come up because, “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 is a connected national reporter at this point in his career, so if this is something he’s digging in on, it is at least worth a mention here on your Tuesday evening.

A lotta things are popping into my mind, so let me just run them down:

1.) It’s long been assumed that Kris Bryant and the Cubs would not marry up long-term. I’m not saying that was a fair assumption or the right thing or any of that. I’m not passing judgment on the assumption. But it *HAS* been the assumption. Pick your reason: because an extension didn’t get done early on, because Bryant was reaching free agency at age 30, because of the service time grievance, because Bryant is the type of move-the-ball-forward-for-others player who is definitely going to take the top-of-the-market offer, or because of whatever else you want to point to. It simply became an assumption a long time ago that Bryant was going to hit free agency (or be traded sooner), and that would be that.

2.) All that notwithstanding, it would be foolish for Bryant and his agent, Scott Boras, to rule out any possible landing spot. The Cubs are clearly in a position to spend if they want, so why would anyone on his side of things “rule it out”? (Also, note that Murray suggested his source was someone who would know Chicago, not necessarily someone in Bryant’s camp. To be sure, that could still be someone in Bryant’s camp – they’re pretty familiar with the Cubs organization at this point! – but the implication is that this was a point Murray’s source was making about the Cubs, not necessarily about Bryant.)

3.) Furthermore, Bryant had a lot of success in Chicago, he’s always expressed his affection for the city and the organization, and he even went out of his way to say great things about the way Jed Hoyer handled the Trade Deadline.

4.) As for the Cubs, it’s not like they wouldn’t have a spot available for Bryant – pick any of several spots! – and they clearly value his versatility. You could say the Cubs would be best served adding a pricey shortstop or a pricey left-handed bat and I wouldn’t fight you. But, as a threshold matter, I think we can all agree that it’s not as if the Cubs couldn’t happily find starts for Kris Bryant. That part isn’t really a question.

Instead, the question would be more about the price tag, the years, and the aging curve. Bryant is likely going to be in a position to command a deal in the, say … six+ year, $25+ million annually range? Would the Cubs, in their current situation, feel that kind of deal is the best use of resources when Bryant probably doesn’t turn them into an obvious contender (without several other moves) in 2022, and when his best remaining years are likely to be 2022/23?

It’s a question we’ve asked many times about free agents relative to where things stand with the Cubs right now, and while you can force the logic to make a short-term, high-AAV deal make sense for just about any player, and you can force the logic to make a long-term, high-AAV deal make sense for a 27-year-old, it’s harder to do the same with a long-term, high-AAV deal for a player in his 30s. I’m not saying the Cubs are completely out on guys like Bryant right now. I’m just saying the fit is less obvious without a startlingly savvy coordination of many other moves.

5.) Basically, I can’t see taking this report any further than what Murray heard, literally, from his source: you merely can’t rule it out.

Maybe Bryant’s market just never gets to where he’s hoping, and maybe he winds up a guy taking a surprising short-term, high-AAV deal? Or maybe, after being out there, he decides he really wants to be in Chicago? Maybe this, maybe that. You don’t close the door absolutely on a guy who is a very good baseball player, and who is likely to still be a very good baseball player for many more years. If things fall just right, then, hey, sure, I could see the Cubs and Kris Bryant getting back together. I think it’s a very low-probability situation, but it’s at least conceivable.

So, like Murray, we can at least “track this one.”

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

Why Craig Counsell Wanted Miles Mastrobuoni on the Cubs’ Bench

I don't know why Miles Mastrobuoni bugs some folks, but it's probably heavily-weighted toward his small-sample, bad-batted-ball-luck start last year, and that time he didn't dive while playing in right field. It can be hard to shake initial impressions, I...

Latest News

Guardians vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Cleveland Guardians (0-0) and the Oakland Athletics (0-0) square off on Thursday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for Opening Day. First pitch is at 10:07 PM ET.The Guardians will call on Shane Bieber versus the Athletics and Alex Wood.Guardians vs....

Mariners vs. Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Seattle Mariners (0-0) open their 2024 season with a home contest against the Boston Red Sox (0-0) on Thursday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.The Mariners will look to Luis Castillo against the Red Sox and Brayan Bello.Mariners...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Arizona Diamondbacks (0-0) begin their 2024 season with a home matchup against the Colorado Rockies (0-0) on Thursday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.The Diamondbacks will give the nod to Zac Gallen against the Rockies and Kyle Freeland.Diamondbacks...

Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft: Wild Crossroads at 28 – Offense or Defense?

The Buffalo Bills stand at a crossroads. The 2024 NFL Draft looms, and the 28th pick presents a fascinating dilemma. This Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft analyzes 10 different options that could be available to them at their current...

How to Watch Celtics vs. Hawks: Live Stream or on TV

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) hope to continue a three-game home winning stretch when hosting the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET.In their last time out, the Celtics lost 120-118 to the Hawks on Monday....

Rangers vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Texas Rangers look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-120) in a season-opening matchup with the Chicago Cubs. First pitch is on Thursday at 7:35 PM ET on ESPN, live from Globe Life Field.Texas' Nathan...

Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – Thursday, March 28, 2024

Will Dejounte Murray make four 3-pointers when the Atlanta Hawks face the Boston Celtics on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CelticsDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Bogdan Bogdanovic needs to make three from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Atlanta Hawks meet the Boston Celtics on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CelticsBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under...

Jayson Tatum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

At 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, it'll be the Boston Celtics versus the Atlanta Hawks, with Jayson Tatum needing three treys to beat his 3-pointer prop.Jayson Tatum's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksJayson Tatum's over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

Jaylen Brown Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Jaylen Brown must make three from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Boston Celtics play the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET.Jaylen Brown's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksJaylen Brown's over/under for...

more cubs news