Cubs: Latest Kris Bryant rumor frees up return to Chicago

The Cubs have been linked to a potential Kris Bryant reunion since before the lockout. Based on the latest rumor, Chicago could make a move.

When the Cubs traded Kris Bryant before the last trade deadline, a return appeared unlikely. Yet, by trading Bryant to an ideal location closer to his family, the Cubs front office and Jed Hoyer made a positive impression on the 29-year-old despite the failed contract negotiations of years past.

The following is from a piece I wrote a few weeks ago:

"“KB expressed admiration over how Hoyer handled trade talks, as he dealt each core member of the Cubs to a new home that benefitted each of them individually. Javy Baez was sent to Queens to play with his good friend, Francisco Lindor. Anthony Rizzo has family in New York, so the Yankees were a good landing spot. Craig Kimbrel’s son has a heart condition, so a deal with the White Sox allowed the closer to stay in Chicago.”"

MLB rumors: Kris Bryant return to Giants unlikely

Bryant won’t be returning to San Francisco, evidently. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel reported that the Giants are unwilling to go north of $100 million for Bryant, and that’s his reported asking price.

It’s unknown if the Cubs would be willing to spend that much on Bryant at this time. But, at the very least, it takes a potential suitor off the board and gives Hoyer and Co. the opportunity to do so.

FanSided’s Robert Murray reported last week that a Bryant reunion could be in the works post-lockout on The Baseball Insiders’ podcast.

“That is something I’ve been working on behind the scenes. I was told by somebody who would know Chicago: ‘I would not rule it out.’ And it’s been on my mind ever since. I’m tracking that one …. I do think Kris Bryant going back to Chicago is a realistic scenario. And the number you threw out – 27, 28 million bucks – makes a whole lotta sense ….,” Murray reported.

More to come from the North Side, obviously.