With just a few hours to go in advance of tonight’s expected CBA expiration, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets that numerous teams are showing interest in free agent Kris Bryant. Heyman lists a whole host of teams who have checked in with Bryant’s camp recently, including the Mets, Angels, and Padres. These teams add to the growing list of previously reported teams like the Rockies, Mariners, Phillies, and Astros to express interest in the longtime Cub.
It’s no surprise that Bryant continues to draw such wide interest. Between his ability to play multiple positions and status as one of the best free agents left on the market, several teams likely view Bryant as the best solution to a roster problem that money can buy. Still, despite being of the perspective that the “Bryant market is really starting to move”, Heyman notes that a deal is unlikely to come together tonight. Even if Bryant is content to wait through the work stoppage like Heyman asserts, it’s nonetheless notable to hear new teams kicking the tires on such a high impact player.
In the wake of their recent spending bonanza it would be unwise to count out the Mets on any free agent pursuit, even if every additional dollar spent under Steven Cohen’s watch represents a new franchise high. Bryant may seem like a curious fit for a team that has no shortage of corner options, but it’s worth remembering that several of those options contributed to a team that finished 27th in runs scored last season. Accordingly, it’s possible some players could cede playing time to (or be traded to accommodate) a steady producer like Bryant.
The Angels and Padres represent somewhat imperfect fits on the surface as well, as both have high profile third basemen already in the form of Manny Machado and Anthony Rendon. One could further argue that both teams have a greater need in the rotation than in their lineups. That said, LA and San Diego field two playoff-hopeful teams who finished 17th and 14th respectively in runs scored last season. Signing Bryant would take resources away from pitching investments for either franchise, but would represent more of a sure thing than relying on Jurickson Profar in left field or either Brandon Marsh or Jo Adell in right.
Rendon and trout missed 75-80 % of the season, they would have been top 10 easily
Trout is always missing when it counts. He will enter the hall of fame someday as the most overrated stat compiler since Don Sutton.
Trout is overrated? Okay. You might want to tell the players who to a man say he’s by far the greatest player.
Trout may have the greatest set of skills, but he may as well be playing in Korea, when it comes to impact on baseball in this country.
Good night nurse! Ahahaha!
oh. boy! angels are going all in!
The pitching was there an available and Moreno passed– yet again. You think Trout is happy?
He will sign at the buzzer. Gonna play with his buddy Bryce Harper, I think.
I don’t think either of these things will happen, but I’d be up for it.
True, I just want some excitement. Is it bad that I’d rather have Castellanos than Bryant, despite the obvious difference in defensive abilities?
I dunno. Bryant’s consistency is concerning to me, but the possibility that he could fit in the CF hole is at least intriguing to me.
Bryant is not a center fielder. Sure he can play out of position, but so can a lot of players. Also you must mean inconsistency.. Or perhaps a consistent slow decline? With universal DH considered obviously Castellanos is the better choice with the bat. Bryant is not the best fielder but is serviceable on corner infield or outfield. Think Castellanos is done playing third. Still Castellanos is the better player to sign long term. Doubt Bryant ages well.
Bryant is not a good defender, especially at 3rd. He’s fine in LF or RF but not center
Angels?! Dammit Arte!! If they sign Bryant they damn well better make a trade for an elite starter.
Thor doesn’t count?
No
It would be -SO- Angels for them to sign Kris Bryant to a 6 or 8 year contract lol.
Sad but true
Right now they have the same exact freakin rotation they had last year. Replace Cobb with Syndergaard, who hasn’t pitched in two years. So we’ve added Loup in the pen and Lorenzen– who is a reliever. If he starts you have no idea if he can or if he can hold up.?This is outrageous. We are staring at 4th place AGAIN if they don’t add to the rotation. This is a joke.
our weakest link was the pen. i hope they shore it up even more.
Did you miss that they re-signed Raisel Iglesias?
I think that was part of his point. Iglesias was on the team last year so it technically doesn’t count as an addition but instead it’s just keeping the same bullpen plus Loup (So far).
How does re-signing Iglesias change the configuration of the team? He was there last year and we finished 4th. If we’re not ahead in the 9th there aren’t any games to save.
Lorenzen?
Maybe 5th
Go Phillies.
Rangers!
No!
If the Mets sign Bryant, have to wonder whether part of their strategy was to sign premium free agents partly so they could deal some combination of Dom Smith, Davis and McNeil to boost the farm system a little.
I bet that is part of the plan. Use these recently-made-expendable players to bring in Luis Castillo or someone.
i’m glad that the new owner of the mets wants to spend to put out a winner, but is he going about it the right way. now i’m no mets fan (cards fan) but to me it seems like the mets are basically throwing (bleep)/money at the wall and seeing what sticks. imo they should be spending a bit more smartly and addressing there glaring holes and not what headlining fa they can get. perfect example the braves they lost some of there best players and they make a bunch of low key moves at the deadline and there champs, mets make a splashy deadline move and finish 3rd.
The money is no issue. They’re trying to emulate LAD after their sale. Spend as much as possible to stay competitive now while rebuilding the farm and FO. Still haven’t traded prospects and have a few 1st rounders next year and 2 comp picks.
He’s going about it the exact wrong way, splurging to turn a sub .500 team into a team that may make the playoffs, but Cohen is richer than all the other owners. He can afford to keep spending. The Mets are going to be fine because Cohen is Lex Luthor. The new Evil Empire is going to be competitive for years to come.
other than the $ thrown at Scherzer, it’s a body that was needed…adding Bryant would blow my mind as a Met fan at the money Cohen is spending…Dom, McNiel, Davis less than $10 mill collectively I think
@von i agree it sounds like your phils a few years ago when they said we’re going to spend stupid money. ff to now the phils have a new front office because spending stupid money didn’t work and all the criticism with getting dd it seems like they took a more logical approach. to me mets are trying to save a sinking ship by grabbing headlines, imo what sunk the mets this past year was there depth not there too guys. i’m all about spending money but spend it wisely, don’t spend money in the wrong areas and handcuff yourself into tax hell.
Well, their issues were CF, SP, and lineup depth. They signed top tier FA at the first two, and excellent, versatile options for the lineup. They might have spent a lot of money to do it (not like money is an issue), but I don’t think you can argue that the choices weren’t tailored to their squad’s goals. I’m a Braves fan btw.
He’s not going about it wrong, he’s just accelerating things to take advantage of the team and players he has now. Many of the contracts expire in two years or have opt outs, and players like Marte can move to a position that is more complimentary to their age in two years. Furthermore, the Mets will have some kids ready to come up, and I’d suspect they’ll be looking at college kids in next years draft to meet those timelines. Fill with FAs for now and stock the minors.
Yes, they definitely threw money at Scherzer. But the Escobar, Canha and Marte signings were all out of necessity. They knew Baez was going elsewhere, and they definitely needed the outfield help.
Losing Stro and Thor basically equates the capital of Scherzer for this year. Now they can flip Davis, Smith, possibly Mauricio for a #3 or #4 starter.
It seems like they are just tossing money at the wall, but as a Mets fan, I can say they are definitely addressing specific needs first. Signing Bryant would be to solidify 3B, but his contract would definitely be overkill.
@brodie
In the Phil’s case, their minor league system and draft have also been very unproductive in the recent 5 years.
Some teams try to rebuild with the draft, others with trading vets for unproven minor league players. It all comes down to evaluating talent and maybe even players’ personal pride and ambition. Some teams are better at this than others.
@bump
I agree in believing Dom, Davis, McNeil, maybe even Peterson, Baty and Mauricio could all be used to acquire pitching, bullpen arms and restocking minor league arms.
Not to be overlooked is the AAA season Khalil Lee in centerfield. Mauricio, if he is a team player, could become a utility infielder similar to Villar.
If the NL opts to utilize the DH, Bryant makes a lot of sense. He could also be used to add Nimmo to the trade pool.
I can see deals with the Orioles, Reds, Twins and Royals lining up nicely.
Brodie, have to say I disagree. The Phils just had an issue with the rebuild and developing the young guys around the big money free agents. For big market teams, what the Dodgers did is the blueprint. Do you remember the mess they were under McCourt? The way they rebuilt the front office and farm was great, along with spending “stupid money” (the Dodgers 2012 opening day payroll was $105M… in 2013 it was $216M.). As long as the rest of the blueprint is followed and they develop players then well, great success! Of course there’s a lot of luck involved, but the money is nothing to Cohen and the 4 contracts they signed this offseason are not long term. And of course, no prospects have been traded and they gained 2 extra comp picks along with 2 top 15 picks.
@jim stem
Nooooo not Nimmo!
Let’s see. The Mets needed a centerfielder, a third baseman and a rightfielder. They just signed 3 guys who each hit over 20 homers to fill those gaps.
@raltongo I doubt all three of the players I named would be enough for Castillo. I imagine the Reds are looking for prospects, anyways.
I wish Detroit would sign him for OF/1B. First if Torkelson isn’t ready right away & OF then trade Baddoo &/or Reyes for a good BP arm.
It’s just Heyman trying to get someone to make a firm offer, or a better one, for a Boras client who wants a particular city or team to step up. When it comes to Boras clients, Heyman should be considered little more than a company spokesman, and you should assume none of the teams mentioned are actually serious about signing him, although I’m sure they called.
Blue Jays are the team being squeezed by Boras and Heyman Re Bryant imo
Good point, Heyman does have that rep, Boras knows how to play the game, Heyman has a platform but needs info, so there’s a mutually beneficial interest. If there is some sort of understanding, though, it’s not on every Boras client.
Heyman is East Coast bias
he plays right field for the angels and one of the youngsters are traded for a tor pitcher.
White Sox, come on. Put Bryant in RF and the offense is really strong. Trade Kimbrel for a 2B and now we’re cookin
What would we have to toss in with Cano to make that happen? Hey a guy can dream lol
@sfes
Good take on Cano. Which is more valuable – a roster spot for Cano or the cash it would take to pay another team to take him? Kimbrel and a young arm from the Sox with JD Davis, Peterson, Cano and a lot of cash from the Mets?
@jim stem – I’m signing off on that trade every day of the week. If I were Cohen I’d hire a marksman to hit Cano with a PED dart
Lol! Love the dart idea. As a Mariners fan I am still grateful for that trade.
Good thoughts but not sure you would receive a quality 2nd baseman for Kimbrel. Sign Bryant and he’s at 3rd. Move Moncada over to 2nd. Trade Kimbrel and try to get some prospects. Pretty darn good infield with Bryant, Anderson, Moncada and Abreu.
Bryant’s defense at 3rd is baaadddd.
Cashman out of nowhere comes in
Have the Angels lost their minds? I’m tired of hearing we’re in on every pitcher and coming away with nothing. Losing out on Gausman, Stroman and Ray are particularly upsetting. All were affordable. At the moment we lost Cobb and replaced him with a guy who hasn’t pitched in two years, and Lorenzen is not a starter. We added Loup and resigned Iglesias– and? Right now this team is finishing 4th– no question. Outrageous. They better get Castillo or someone equally good, or Trout is going to ask to be moved. What happens if Syndergaard has problems? It’s the same staff we had last year!!!!!!!!!!!!
all three are going to regress. i’d like the team to trade for sonny gray. who seems to have some upside with the angels.
As a guy who’s watched Thor blossom since we got him, I’ve gotta say even if he doesn’t work out 100% you guys are in for a hell of a performance every 5th day!
Dodgers – man ip and let’s go! If you guys knew your baseball, you’d know that the Dodgers rarely spend big on FA’s.
Mookie says otherwise
Multiple positions… looks like the Dodgers will be in too. 1b/3b/of… the sting of Seager and Mad Max will lead to more flashy signings
Angels to play left? Idk, seems a bit crazy. I know that would open up a trade of Adell/Marsh for a starter but. Oof
They can add Bryant and trade for Aaron Judge, and sign Correia all at the same time, but if they don’t significantly upgrade this pitching staff it truly won’t matter. It’s fun to look at on paper, and they’ll have a game every week where they score 12 runs, but good pitching stops good hitting. And the others in our division have good pitching. We are dominated by our division year in and year out for a reason. They have a $100MM for Bryant but not for Ray, Gausman or Stroman?
My prediction is he goes to Seattle with the Mariners. I believe Seattle is the team for him . He is a perfect fit there and they are committing to win now.They are in on both story and Bryant . I predict that Seattle will either sign Bryant or story! It will be interesting to see if Seattle wants to go long term with Bryant and for the money he is asking for . That might be hard for them to commit to kris bryant for their payroll going forward . I could see Trevor story signing there for a lot less years and for less money . That’s why they might choose story over bryant. I don’t like story at third base tho . That’s why Bryant In my opinion is the better fit .
I think Seattle and Philly make the most sense, but Seattle will have the stronger offer. Phillies have a lot of needs.
The Phillies make sense to me to in a way. But Seattle makes the most sense for kris Bryant to me . I just don’t know if the Phillies financially wanna commit to Bryant for 6 or 7 years with as much as he is asking for . They already have a couple big contracts that being the phillies .
Bryant’s buddy pal plays for the Phillies, don’t forget that. Phillies don’t need to outbid nobody, just to equal an offer from any other team if they want him so badly. There, Harper’s factor might affect positively his decision.
@Von do they give up on Bohm so soon? He’s got so much potential
I hope you’re right. I’d prefer to see Bryant here. Story is a great Plan B tho.
The problem with story is I think he needs to stay at short stop to reach his full potential. You can move him to second base and he will be fine there . But do not move him to third base . As someone who has covers the Rockies I would strongly disagree putting him at third base . I think defensively he would struggle at third base . That’s a big change from shortstop .
Agree with this take. 3b is not the place for Story
Outside of pitching the Mariners biggest need is 3b (if we don’t go with Toro) snd Bryant’s lousy on defense there. We need a bat desperately. We already have a great 1B. Bryant is serviceable at LF snd RF snd good DH
The Astros could definitely use Bryant’s bat to compensate for the loss of Carlos Correa. Defensively this means Kyle Tucker would shift to CF, which he will be very adept at, and KB in RF. The concern would still be the gaping hole still at shortstop. I don’t think installing Bryant at 3rd and moving Bregman to SS would be the plan. Bregy’s had several recent leg issues.
You guys can keep CC. Bryant will be a Jay !
Trade for Laureano to play CF and Chapman to play 3B, shift Bregman to SS. There’s your solution. No signing required !
1.Laureano CF
2.Tucker RF
3.Altuve 2B
4.Bregman SS
5.Alvarez DH
6.Chapman 3B
7.Brantley LF
8.Gurriel 1B
9.Maldonado C
How did it look ?
I’m not real keen on Laureano. I don’t think Chapman would work either because of Bregman’s recent hamstring issues I don’t think I putting him at short on a permanent basis would be wise. Honestly, I don’t think the Jays need Bryant as bad as the Astros do. Your lineup is already stacked top to bottom
Lol. Yeah right. Laureano will NEVER play for the Astros.
He signs with the Rangers or Astros so he can hang out with the Dude Perfect Guys.
Come to Toronto Kris !!!!!
3B/RF awaits you !!!
Let’s Go !
Teoscar in right says no thanks. I’m not sure what the Jays payroll is as of today but Bryant must be pushing them close to the luxury tax.
I would have offered Taylor 4/75. That would have got it done.
Taylor better with the glove, signed for 15 mil a season for four years, and probably will hit better than Bryant over the next four years. You’re right on about Bryant vs Taylor. Taylor 60m/4 Boras probably want 8-10 years for Bryant and a total of more than 200m.
@Taximan Yup—the talk about Bryant is hilarious, and not in the good way. Bryant is a 2.5 to 3.0 WAR, 30-year old corner guy whose glove acc to Statcast was minus 9 OAA in 2021.
3/$60m with a vesting option may well be too much, but in a sane world you could probably get that from a contender for whom it makes sense to pay top dollar for marginal wins.
You’re right about Boras. Some how, he wheedled 7 and even 8 year deals for Shin Soo Choo, Werth, and Ellsbury. Some foolish team desperate to make a splash will go to at least 5/120m to Bryant even after all the history lessons available to GMs, and even though he hasn’t been remotely like his 2015-2017 peak since then.
The Padres? Is Preller completely out of his mind? Is the goal here to have half the roster making $20M plus each? Just keep throwing money at the problem, and it will go away, right? I assume Bryant will be in the OF full time with the infield overpopulated
Bryant doesn’t play SS and is lousy at 3rd so he’s an OF
Grisham
Tatis
Cronenworth
Machado
Bryant
Myers
Hosmer
Nola
Stammen, Johnson, Adams, Hill, Suarez, Garcia, Pomeranz, Pagan bullpen games all year long
What this really means is Boras called Heyman (as usual) to trump up interest in Bryant.
I love how this time of year people devolve into fantasy baseball managers lol. “Sign him and then trade (insert overpriced player or washed up prospect) for a top tier starter” cause there’s a ton of those on the trade block..
“Trade Kimbrel for a 2b” cause everyone’s looking for 16 million dollar set up arms
Lol thanks guys this truly is the happiest time of the year.
It’s almost always a starter they are trading for, too
Guardians been very quiet maybe a big move is on the horizon
You’re funny!
The longer the Mariners wait, the more expensive he’s gonna be.
KB would be perfect for the Mets, or their West Coast version in San Diego. What’s more Mets than a third baseman who needs his shortstop to throw the ball accurately to first?
Oh, but he can hit!! (Focus on the spectacle)
No thanks, No Taylor. Teoscar is mainly a DH. So there’s space in RF for him and 3B is also open with Biggio likely sliding back to 2B with the loss of Semien !
Imagine how inept these Mets would have to be, after getting 2.5 WAR from 3B in 2021 and swapping Escobar in for Villar, to spend anything remotely resembling a $22m AAV deal for a fractional win upgrade in Bryant—particularly when they’re currently slated to give 110 or more starts to Carrasco, Walker, Megill, and Peterson, who ranged between 73 and 90 by ERA+.
They need at least two more good starters—are they doing to get even one mediocrity?