There's definitely a chance that Kris Bryant's run in San Francisco lasts longer than just the 51 regular season games and five postseason contests that he played in 2021. But based on the latest rumors, there's also definitely a chance that he won't.
Bryant was solid, if a little unexciting, for the Giants after he was moved from the Cubs in a significant and emotional trade. He slashed .262/.344/.444 for his new team — though he came alive in the postseason, erupting for eight hits in just 17 at-bats — and was deployed pretty much wherever San Francisco needed him, appearing at third base and in all three outfield spots. But he was just, well... he was fine, and that might not cut it.
So now we get to the question of the day: where will he sign now that he's a free agent for the first time in his career? 2022 will be his age-30 campaign, so there's plenty of fuel left in the tank, and there should be several teams hungry for versatile defensive talent, a power bat in the heart of the order and a proven veteran with postseason experience. The fact that he's not attached to a qualifying offer adds even greater incentive for a team looking to sign him
Let's take a look at which franchises are most likely to offer him a long-term deal he simply can't refuse, landing a face of Major League Baseball for years to come.
New York Mets
If Michael Conforto is on his way out, could Kris Bryant be on his way in?
(Justin Berl/Getty Images)
There's a lot of buzz about this potential destination already, with reports coming out of the GM meetings that the Mets discussed Bryant with his agent, Scott Boras. With Michael Conforto potentially headed out, Bryant could take his spot in the outfield as well as provide relief in the infield when needed, and a reunion with Javy Baez (should he also stay) provides more incentive. The Mets are in as much of a win-now mode as any team in the league, and this would be a win-now move.
Oh, and if Evan says it's going to happen, that counts for something as well.
Seattle Mariners
Adding Kris Bryant would give Seattle reason to celebrate.
(Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
Audacy's own Tim Kelly predicted that Bryant will sign a lucrative six-year deal with Seattle, who burst onto the scene in a big way in 2021 with a brilliant 90-72 record, and he's got a point. After all, Kyle Seager is a free agent, leaving a void at third base next to J.P. Crawford, who is seemingly the team's shortstop for the foreseeable future. As I've mentioned a number of times already, he could also be of use in the outfield.
Most importantly, he'd provide a proven resume and a winning mentality to a team that hasn't made the playoffs in —wait for it — twenty years. For their first time back, which could very well be the 2022 season, it would be nice to have a presence like Bryant as they stake their claim as a legitimate contender in the coming years.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies would get a huge boost from adding Kris Bryant.
(Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
It was hard to watch the Phillies' outfield more often than not in 2021, and adding someone who could play in both left and center field while giving Bryce Harper a fearsome partner (and an old friend) in the middle of the order would be ideal. Of course, there are other needs to fill, and the Phils could allocate the bulk of their money elsewhere, be it at shortstop or in the bullpen.
Still, Bryant's fit makes too much sense to completely ignore here, and it'd be pretty hard to envision yet another season in which Philly hovers around the .500 marker — they're 271-275 over the past four years — if a player of Bryant's caliber comes to town.
Houston Astros
Would adding Kris Bryant allow the Astros to make another World Series run?
(Bob Levey/Getty Images)
The Astros came oh-so close to winning the World Series this past year, and adding Bryant to the mix in the outfield would have to be seen as a move that could push them over the edge.
As MLB.com's Brian McTaggart noted, the Astros have to sort out their outfield after Jake Meyers tore his labrum in the ALDS, leaving a gap in center field. Sure, some pieces could be shifted around to bandage up the problem, but it might be nice to have a more permanent and stable fixture in the outfield as opposed to, say, moving Yordan Alvarez into left field and making subsequent changes from there.
What's more is that Carlos Correa may very well be on his way out, meaning there'd be a huge hole to fill at shortstop. Would moving Alex Bregman there and filling his third base vacancy with Bryant make sense? In any event, Bryant's defensive flexibility — not to mention his offensive prowess — would be a big boost in H-Town.
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