Sometimes the obvious move is the right move. In the case of plenty talked about free agent Kris Bryant and a potential marriage with the Mets, this seems like a no-brainer.
The organization is clearly in win-now mode, made clear by the blockbuster signing of Max Scherzer, amidst other moves. The highly anticipated tandem of Jacob deGrom and Mad Max likely maxes out after three years, that’s wishfully assuming Uncle Stevie and Billy Eppler make Jake happy enough to not opt-out (perhaps via an extension if he proves healthy in 2022). The team has clearly blown past the luxury tax threshold, and depending on the results of the new CBA, this will likely cost Cohen a few extra shekels for the next few years.
Thus, the time is now and the obvious right move is to bring in Kris Bryant.
Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
And here’s why…
Been There, Done That
Bryant wasted no time collecting hardware early in his career in Chicago. In 2015, he garnered Rookie of the Year honors while playing a lead role in the Cubs playoff run before getting swept by the Mets. The following year, Bryant took home the prestigious MVP title and even that gets overshadowed by he and his Cubs shaking the curse and winning their first World Series since 1908.
Bryant has four All-Star selections in his first seven seasons and six years of playoff experience, including his most recent with the Giants, batting .471/.500/.647 with an OPS of 1.147. It’s almost hard to imagine that Bryant is only 29 years old with all of this postseason experience and hardware in his trophy case. For a team starving of leadership and playoff caliber talent, Bryant would be a welcomed addition in Queens.
Power Surge
While Cohen and Eppler have made a slew of savvy moves to help reshape the current roster, it’s easy to forget that there were several lineup voids to fill after the 2021 departures. The Mets lost Javy Baez to free agency and ultimately to the Tigers. Michael Conforto is no longer a Met. And while the former was a rental and the latter seemingly inconsistent, they both always represented a power threat. And while Eppler is putting together a likely more balanced lineup, adding speed with Marte, versatility with Eduardo Escobar, and much needed outfield support with Mark Canha, the power in the lineup appears to have taken a slight step backwards.
If you bank on 2021 being an albatross for Francisco Lindor, and Robinson Cano finding his form of yesteryear, then sure, the power will be there. Question marks surround the likes of JD Davis, Jeff McNeil, and Dom Smith.
As of right now, Pete Alonso is really the only true power threat, and when you only have one, opposing pitchers can navigate around that. Kris Bryant has put together five years of 25+ home runs, highlighted by the 39 he put up in his aforementioned MVP year in 2016. Bryant’s power presence in the 2022 Mets lineup could add that balance and better support Pete Alonso.
Money Talks
Let’s lay it all out there. Bryant won’t come cheap. He’s a free agent with all of the previously mentioned accolades. He’s represented by super agent Scott Boras. And he’s going to want the years, along with the money. You have to think he’s going to push for at least $25 million per year over at least five years, likely a goal of seven. His former infield mate, Baez, just netted $140 million over six years (AAV of $23.3 million). So you have to think Bryant will be somewhere in that ballpark, if not more. With the Mets clearly in win-now mode, they would have to consider swallowing the pill of Bryant reaching his mid-30’s towards the end of such a contract.
Their payroll would balloon even higher than it’s already league leading number. But the Mets only have two players on the books after 2024 (Marte and Lindor) and only one after 2025 (Lindor).
Position Versatility
One of the biggest reasons why we all know this marriage makes sense is Bryant’s versatility in the field. We know teams, especially the Mets’ front office, cherish versatility. Adding someone like Bryant gives new manager Buck Showalter a plethora of lineup construction flexibility. Bryant can fill a need at third base, along with his experience in all three outfield positions and first base, if necessary.
Touted prospect third baseman Brett Baty is quickly ascending the minor league ranks and may crack the roster as soon as late 2022 (perhaps more realistically in 2023). If/when that occurs, Bryant can easily shift to the outfield. And if Buck decides to rotate Escobar, McNeil, and Davis at the hot corner, an outfield of Nimmo-Marte-Bryant on any given day is not too shabby. Adding Bryant not only gives the team versatility in the field but also in the lineup. It allows for more depth along with more insurance for inevitable injuries. It just makes too much sense.
The Road to the Pennant
We’ve already talked about the heady moves Eppler has already made. We’ve also talked about the departed talent. It’s also hard to ignore that the additions and subtractions made over the past few months may not equate to simply leapfrogging a few other teams out there. The road to the pennant still goes through the previous two World Series champs, Los Angeles and Atlanta. And being that one of these teams resides in the same division as the Mets, an addition of Bryant’s caliber, keeps the Mets at the forefront of the arms race. And while Freddie Freeman is not currently an Atlanta Brave, it’s hard to imagine they let him get away.
Even with the recent losses the Braves and Dodgers incurred, they are forward thinking organizations equipped for such losses and still heavy favorites. Let’s also not forget the campaign the Giants put together last year, the talent in the Cardinals organization, and the potential the Padres present, to name a few.
If the Mets want to win beyond the “2021 Offseason”, they’ll need to go through the Braves and Dodgers (among others), and adding Kris Bryant only helps.
