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 message from a random number from Connecticut saying “Welcome to the Mets.” according to ESPN. Bryant called his agent and then Cubs president Jed Hoyer to make sure they didn’t change him.
So, for a few minutes at least, the former National League MVP thought he was on his way to New York.
Bryant moving to the Mets is still a possibility. The Cubs already sent star pitcher Yu Darvish to the Padres and let Kyle Schwarber walk to the Nationals. Bryant is a free agent in late 2021, and with a long-term extension not yet on the books, a trade would always be on the cards for a player of Bryant’s caliber.
The Mets may be looking to improve on JD Davis at third base, who is a solid hitter but a negative defender. Bryant has seen his advanced defensive metrics drop at third base in the past two years, but he has been solid in the hot corner of his career and also has the ability to play outfield.
“I approach every year in the same way,” 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 am proud to say that I have not changed at all. Honestly, all my life, this is who I am. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I want to go out and be dominant. It is who I am. This is what drives me. ”