Kris Bryant is one of the many premier players in the league left jobless due to the lockout. The former MVP blasted 25 home runs and hit for a .265 average in 2021 with the Cubs and the Giants, and is now one of the top free agents still on the market. Plenty of teams could use a big power bat.
With it being unlikely that the Giants bring him back, here are three teams that could use the 2016 World Series champion if they’re going all in for 2022.
Texas Rangers
Texas already looks pretty solid on paper. After all, they managed to reign in two of the top infielders in all of baseball, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien.
But who’s to say they’re done? They’ve got money to spend and still need some more pieces. Texas doesn’t really have a bona-fide third baseman, so adding a former MVP and Rookie of the Year certainly wouldn’t hurt. A lineup that consists of Seager, Bryant, Semien, and Adonis Garcia is sure to do some damage, especially at the hitter friendly Globe Life Field, that is, if the Rangers go for Bryant.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phils already have Alec Bohm at third base, but with the departures of Andrew McCutchen and Odubel Herrera, they have some holes in the outfield.
But Bryant could fill one of those holes. Put him in the same lineup as Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Rhys Hoskins and you’ve got a deadly starting nine. Plus, the Phillies have tried each of the past few years to make the necessary improvements to reach the postseason for the first time since 2011. Each time, they’ve failed. So either it’s time for a change in the front office, or time to go grab some more stars.
Seattle Mariners
When they signed Robbie Ray, the Mariners proved that they were willing to spend money and go all in for 2022. With Kyle Seager now retired, Seattle finds themselves without a true third baseman, but there’s no saying that Bryant couldn’t help with that.
They’ve already got Adam Frazier, Kyle Lewis, and Mitch Haniger. Bryant would give fans a reason to come to the ballpark, and make Seattle a true contender. They won 90 games in 2021 and narrowly missed the postseason, but with just one more piece, they could be in a good position to end the playoff drought that’s lasted since 2001.
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