Chicago Cubs

Kris Bryant Reaches Record Deal With Cubs, Avoids Arbitration: Report

It appeared that Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant and shortstop Addison Russell were going to head to arbitration, but a new report says that both players have agreed to new deals.

According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago-Sun Times, Bryant has signed a one-year, $10.85 million deal for the 2018 season. That contract is the biggest given out to a first-year arbitration-eligible player, eclipsing the $10 million that former Philadelphia Phillies star Ryan Howard got in his first year.

Russell’s contract will pay him $3.2 million for the 2018 season, according to Wittenmyer.

The contracts mean that just one player remains eligible for arbitration, with pitcher Justin Grimm reportedly exchanging numbers with the team this offseason.

Bryant hit 29 home runs and drove in 73 RBI last season, hitting a career-high .295 for the Cubs. Russell hit .239 last season with 12 home runs and 43 RBI for the Cubs, as his season was shortened due to injury. 

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