As you may have heard the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed star outfielder Mookie Betts to a massive 12-year $365 million dollar extension. Betts, who was rumored to be dead set on testing free agency, has instead secured the bag now with the uncertainty surrounding the world.
Since 2015 here is the top 4 in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) according to Fangraphs:
1. Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) 44.2 WAR - signed a 12-year $430 million extension prior to the 2019 season
2. Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers) 35.4 WAR - signed a massive extension today
3. Kris Bryant (Chicago Cubs) 27.8 WAR - a free agent after 2021
4. Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers) 27.7 WAR - signed a 9-year $215 million dollar extension in Spring Training
The obvious problem with this is these players have been getting big money contracts while the Cubs have been penny-pinching in recent years and could be primed to led the third most valuable player in baseball over the past five seasons walk in free agency.
Bryant, of course, is not at the same quality as the two players above him. He's not quite the all-time great inner circle talent that Mike Trout is, and he's not the all-around superstar that Mookie Betts is while playing a premier position. But he is still an huge piece of the Cubs and an extension should be a top priority for the Cubs.
The 2021 offseason will be a fascinating one for the Cubs. Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, and Javier Baez are all due to become free agents so that will be a day of reckoning for the Cubs. They most likely won't be able to extend everyone, but they will need to be willing to open up their check books.
Focusing on Bryant, 2019 was a nice return to form after an injury plagued 2018 season. He hit .282/.382/.521 with 31 home runs, he showed excellent plate discipline walking in 11.7 percent of his plate appearances while striking out in 22.9 percent.
His defensive metrics did take a hit as well, he had a career worst -6 defensive runs saved along with posting a -1.4 UZR which is the second worst of his career. Defensive metrics can flux significantly year to year so it's hard to make an evaluation based on one season.
Bryant has also had his fair share of injury issues, a recurring shoulder issue plagued his 2018 season and his 2019 season was ended early by an ankle sprain. These injuries likely won't severely impact his play now, but it's something to keep in mind as he moves into his mid-30's.
A good comparison for a potential Bryant extension is the free agent deal Anthony Rendon signed with the Angels. The 30-year old received a 7-year $245 million dollar deal that includes a full no-trade clause and keeps him locked up until his age 37 season. Bryant has not been as good as Rendon over the past three seasons, but he has shown in the past that he can just as valuable as Rendon.
Bryant will be a free agent going into his age 30 season and would likely be posed to become just the third player to receive a $300+ million deal as a free agent if he can continue to improve on his excellent 2019 performance.
No comments:
Post a Comment