Can Cardinals prevent Cubs from bringing back Kris Bryant?

Former Chicago Cubs player Kris Bryant could reunite with his Chicago roots — or the St. Louis Cardinals could swoop in and steal him away.

The MLB lockout has frozen free agency talks for the moment, which leads MLB fans to wonder how the off time will influence who signs with whom next.

One available free agent that is still sitting on the market is Kris Bryant, the multifaceted former Cubs player who won NL MVP in 2016.

Less than six months after trading him to the San Francisco Giants, it seems the Cubs could be in the market to sign Bryant this offseason. In his time with the Giants, Bryant saw all over the field, playing 26 games at third base and 35 games in the outfield. Bryant also slashed .262/.344/.444 with 28 runs, 7 home runs, and 22 RBIs.

While the Cubs appear to be the frontrunner for reclaiming their former star, an NL Central rival could be a contender to sign Bryant to bolster their own roster. Hoping a little Giants magic will rub off on them, the St. Louis Cardinals could be in the running to sign Bryant when the lockout thaws and teams can sign players.

Could the St. Louis Cardinals steal Kris Bryant away from the Chicago Cubs?

Despite the fact that Cardinals fans have a history of booing Bryant, it’s unlikely that Bryant would get picked up by the Cardinals.

Even though he’s a multi-faceted player, the Cardinals don’t need Bryant in their lineup. St. Louis already has a fantastic defensive outfield and an elite third baseman in Nolan Arenado.

If anything, Bryant could work as a designated hitter, which is projected to come to the NL in 2022. That is, if the MLBPA and owners can ratify a new CBA sometime soon.

DH or not, it’s more likely that a lockout could increase the chances of Bryant signing with the Chicago Cubs once more.