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Bryant: Would like to think 'I wouldn't be shipped out' amid pandemic

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Kris Bryant's name was floated around in many trade rumors during the offseason, but the Chicago Cubs star isn't keen on being dealt before the Aug. 31 deadline.

"I would like it not to be a concern," Bryant said Tuesday, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. "I would like to think that I wouldn't be shipped out in the middle of a pandemic."

The 2016 NL MVP has only suited up for the Cubs during his five-year career, and he'd like to stay.

"I really love it here and I love playing here," Bryant said. "And I love everything about this city and the people and the people in this clubhouse and all around. I’ve never not wanted to be here, regardless of whatever has happened in the past, or whatever people have perceived about my situation."

Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer understands that moving players during these unprecedented times will be a challenge for all involved.

"You're going to have to option players out or send players to different places," Hoyer said. "There's no question that that's an uncomfortable thing to think about from our perspective, and obviously Kris is voicing that it's uncomfortable from a player perspective.

"That's something that we have to talk through, but there's going to be transactions this year. There's sort of no way to avoid that, whether they be big or small."

Bryant is slated to make $18.6 million in 2020. He's arbitration-eligible for a fourth and final campaign in 2021, his last under contract before the 28-year-old can test free agency.

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