Report: Cubs to offer Bryant contract before non-tender deadline
The Chicago Cubs will tender a contract to third baseman Kris Bryant for the 2021 season before the Dec. 2 deadline, reports MLB Network's Jon Heyman.
Bryant struggled mightily last season, hitting .206/.293/.351 with four home runs and 11 RBIs in 34 games.
The 2016 National League MVP's poor performance prompted speculation about a possible non-tender, according to Heyman. Instead, it appears as though the Cubs will keep the three-time All-Star, although a trade is still possible.
Bryant is projected to earn an $18.6-million salary in 2021 and rival executives believe the Cubs could undertake a "heavy restart" of their roster before next season. Those executives mentioned Bryant as one of the Cubs' core players who could be traded.
The 28-year-old is reportedly drawing interest from the Washington Nationals. Heyman added that the Nationals are reportedly determined to keep prospects Jackson Rutledge and Cade Cavalli.
Bryant was among MLB's top players before his disastrous 2020 campaign. From 2015-19, the Las Vegas native ranked third in WAR behind only Mike Trout and Mookie Betts, according to FanGraphs.