HEADLINE

Reports: Bryant, Cubs agree to $18.6M deal for 2020

Field Level Media

January 10, 2020 at 6:56 pm.

The Chicago Cubs avoided arbitration with Kris Bryant on Friday and agreed to a $18.6 million deal for the 2020 season with the All-Star third baseman, according to multiple reports.

Bryant still has another year in arbitration remaining for 2021, although that situation is pending a service-time grievance filed by the 28-year-old over the team’s decision to delay his arrival to the major leagues in 2015. That numbers game effectively delayed his first free-agent year by one season.

Bryant batted .282 with 31 home runs and 77 RBIs in 147 games in 2019 as the Cubs went 84-78 and failed to make the postseason for the first time with Bryant as a member of the team.

Bryant is a career .284 hitter with 138 home runs and 403 RBIs, making the National League All-Star team three times while winning the MVP in 2016 and the rookie of the year in 2015.