MMO Free Agent Profile: Kris Bryant, 3B/OF
Kris Bryant
Position: 3B/OF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Age: 29 (1/4/1992)
Traditional Stats: .265/.353/.481, 32 2B, 25 HR, 23 RBI, 86 R, 10 SB
Advanced Stats: .835 OPS, 124 OPS+, 3.3 WAR, 91 wRC
Defensive Stats: -4 OAA -2 DRS 1.2 UZR (3B), -4 OAA -3 DRS -4.3 UZR (OF)
Rundown
After the additions of Starling Marte, Eduardo Escobar, and Mark Canha the Mets starting lineup is starting to come into shape. It certainly seemed like the Mets would be done adding position players for the winter.
However, General Manager Billy Eppler said during last week’s introductory press conferences that the team would remain opportunistic following the lockout. Just a few hours later, it was reported that the Mets were among teams showing interest in third baseman Kris Bryant.
While nothing was able to come to fruition with the little time remaining prior to the lockout, Bryant is certainly an option the Mets should and very likely will consider when the signing freeze is lifted.
Bryant was selected by the Chicago Cubs with the second overall pick of the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft out of the University of San Diego. The top prospect quickly tore his way through the minor leagues.
He was awarded both the USA Today and Baseball America Player of the Year Awards in 2014 after hitting a stellar .325 with a 1.098 OPS, 34 doubles, 43 home runs, 110 RBI, and 118 runs scored between in 138 games between Double-A and Triple-A.
He appeared in just seven games at Triple-A to begin the 2015 season before he was promoted to the big league level. Bryant continued his success from the get-go, taking the big leagues by storm.
He went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year, was named to the All_Star game, and finished 11th in MVP voting. He hit .275, posted a .858 OPS, 135 OPS+, and had 31 doubles, 26 home runs, and 99 RBI over 151 games.
Bryant again made the All-Star team and took home the MVP award in 2016. He scored a league-leading 121 runs, and had 35 doubles, 39 home runs, 102 RBI, and posted a .939 OPS over 155 games.
He played a pivotal role in helping the Cubs secure the 2016 World Series title, driving in a total of eight runs during the playoffs. Bryant, of course, also fielded a grounder on the run and threw to Anthony Rizzo at first for the final out of the World Series.
He put together another MVP-caliber season in 2017, finishing seventh in voting. Bryant dealt with his fair share of injury problems over the next few seasons but remained a vital piece in the middle of the Cubs lineup.
He struggled during the 2020 pandemic shortened season, hitting just .206 and posting a .644 OPS with ten extra-base hits and 11 RBI over 34 games. Bryant bounced back for the Cubs and was named an All-Star in the first half of last season.
He was then traded to the San Francisco Giants at the trading deadline. Bryant homered in his debut in the Bay Area, and ended up being a nice piece for the NL West champions. The 29-year old finished the year with 32 doubles, 25 homers, and a .835 OPS over 144 games.
Over his big league career, Bryant has spent the majority of his time manning the hot corner. However, he has also seen some action at all three outfield spots, first base, and even two games at shortstop.
Bryant will certainly be in for a pretty nice payday as he hits free agency for the first time in his career.
Contract
Prior to the lockout, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman noted that there was a very big market for Bryant’s talents.
Along with the Mets, Heyman mentioned the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies, and Houston Astros have all at the very least checked in on the former Cubs star.
MLB Trade Rumors projects that Bryant will receive a six-year deal worth $160 million. The New York Post projected the same length, six years, but for $140 million.
The final offer the Mets reportedly made to infielder Javier Baez before he signed with the Tigers was for about $125 million.
While this team still has more holes to fill, there’s no reason to believe the Mets couldn’t afford to add Bryant to the mix. Multiple reports, including SI’s Pat Ragazzo, have indicated that Bryant has been on the Mets’ radar since last winter, and Cohen absolutely should not be ruled out.
It’s also important to keep in mind that the Mets already worked with Bryant’s agent, Scott Boras, this offseason on the Max Scherzer deal so that rocky relationship shouldn’t serve as an issue anymore.
Bryant certainly seems like a name to keep an eye on for the Mets when the lockout is finally lifted.
Recommendation
Since he arrived in New York, Billy Eppler has preached the addition of defensive versatility and professional hitters to this Mets ball club. The trio of Marte, Escobar, and Canha is evidence of that.
With that in mind, Kris Bryant would certainly be another solid addition to this mix. Bryant offers the same versatility all three of those players possess, and his long list of accomplishments at the plate speaks for itself.
As currently constructed, with the loss of Baez, this Mets lineup is missing one more big impact bat in the middle of the order behind Pete Alonso. Kris Bryant should absolutely be that guy.
The addition of Bryant would allow the Mets to bounce guys around in both the infield and the outfield. It would only improve the quality of their already strong depth and could help keep guys fresh.
Signing Bryant to man the hot corner would allow Escobar to slide over to second, and Jeff McNeil to jump into a Chris Taylor esque super-utility role. He’d also serve as insurance in case Brandon Nimmo, Marte, or Canha are forced to miss time in the outfield.
Bryant’s ability to play the outfield would also allow the Mets to keep third base open for when top prospects Mark Vientos and/or Brett Baty are ready to make the jump to the big leagues in the near future.
A potential Mets lineup with Bryant could look something like this; Marte, Nimmo, Lindor, Alonso, Bryant, Escobar, Smith, McCann, Canha. That lineup is as deep as it gets and is very solid from top to bottom.
On top of all of that, like the four other additions this offseason, Bryant has been praised as a leader and is a great locker room guy. He is another solid veteran presence who can help turn this Mets team around.
As I said above, Bryant is absolutely a guy the Mets should very much be in on once the lockout is finally lifted.
The post MMO Free Agent Profile: Kris Bryant, 3B/OF first appeared on Metsmerized Online.