Cubs Star Kris Bryant Turned Down $200 Million Contract, Reports Say
By James Neveau ••
Kris Bryant met one of his biggest fans this week – and it was all thanks to a Houston Astros player.
Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant won’t be able to become a free agent for three more years, but according to multiple reports, the team attempted to make him a very rich man recently.
According to ESPN’s David Kaplan and MLB.com, the Cubs offered Bryant a multi-year deal that would have paid him $200 million. The third baseman and his agent Scott Boras turned the offer down, according to the reports.
Bryant isn’t eligible to become a free agent until after the 2021 season, but the Cubs’ offer represents an attempt by the team to buy out his remaining years of arbitration eligibility and to earn themselves an extra few years of team control after he would have been scheduled to hit free agency.
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Cam Ward #30 of the Chicago Blackhawks makes a save against the Detroit Red Wings during a preseason game at the United Center on September 25, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.
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After making the team on a tryout contract, Davidson will hope to solidify a blue line that is facing a myriad of depth and injury concerns. He played for three different teams in 2017-18, scoring four goals and dishing out three assists in 51 games.
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A fifth round pick of the Blackhawks in 2013, Johnson has finally made it to the NHL after three years in college and two seasons in the AHL. He had 13 goals and 17 assists in 73 games last season with the IceHogs, and is hoping to be a consistent contributor at the NHL level this season.
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The 2017 first round pick is jumping right into the NHL, skating alongside Duncan Keith. He is a talented puck mover and a strong two-way player, but it could take time for him to find his sea legs in the NHL.
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The 2017 first round pick is jumping right into the NHL, skating alongside Duncan Keith. He is a talented puck mover and a strong two-way player, but it could take time for him to find his sea legs in the NHL.
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The cagey veteran had a strong season with the Lightning last year, with 13 goals and 16 assists, and he could potentially fill a variety of roles for the Blackhawks this season.
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One of Stan Bowman’s few free agent moves this offseason, Manning will take on a bottom-four defensive role after scoring seven goals and racking up 12 assists for the Philadelphia Flyers last season.
According to the reports, Bryant and Boras are inclined to take things year-by-year with the Cubs, going to arbitration if necessary to set his annual salary.
Bryant’s last contract paid him $10.8 million for the 2018 season, a record for a first-year arbitration eligible player.
There are several Cubs players set to hit free agency after that 2021 season, including Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, and Kyle Schwarber.
