Kris Bryant has to be aware of the rampant trade rumors surrounding him this offseason, but even he would have to be surprised by this.
At one point during the offseason, Bryant received a text from a random Connecticut number that said “Welcome to the Mets,” according to ESPN. Bryant called his agent and then Cubs president Jed Hoyer to make sure he wasn’t traded.
So at least for a few minutes, the former NL MVP thought he was on his way to New York.
Bryant making a move to the Mets is still a possibility. The Cubs have already sent star pitcher Yu Darvish to the Padres, and let Kyle Schwarber walk to the Nationals. Bryant is a free agent at the end of 2021, and with a long-term extension not yet on the books, a trade would always be in the cards for a player of Bryant’s caliber.
The Mets could be looking to upgrade from J.D. Davis at third base, who is a solid hitter but a minus defender. Bryant has seen a drop in his advanced defensive metrics at third base over the past couple of years but has been solid at the hot corner over his career, and has the ability to play in the outfield as well.
“I approach every year kind of the same,’’ Bryant said, according to USA Today. “I feel like every year is a free agent year, just personally how I approach the game and how I approach my personal life.
“I’m proud to say I haven’t changed at all. Honestly, my whole life, this is who I am. I don’t want to put too much on myself, any more pressure. I want to go out there and dominant. It’s who I am. This is what drives me.’’
