Chicago Cubs could lose Kris Bryant after the 2020 season

Despite the oft held notion that the Chicago Cubs will have two more years of Kris Bryant, due to a grievance filed over service time manipulation in 2015, the Cubs may actually only control one more year of his service.

In what could be the most shocking turn of baseball events since the Washington Nationals stormed their way to a 2-0 World Series lead, a grievance filed in 2015 (and finally being heard this week) has the potential to rock the very foundation of Major League Baseball. Said grievance between Kris Bryant and the Chicago Cubs over whether or not the team delayed Bryant’s arrival on purpose could irrevocably alter the way rookies and phenoms are viewed, used and manipulated across the baseball landscape.

While this is old news to some, many have forgotten that this grievance even exists because of the amicable relationship between Bryant and the club since his rookie season. In fact, fans may have even dismissed it because nothing had come of it in the four years since.

For those who don’t recall the circumstances of Bryant’s opening act with the Cubs, Bryant tore up Spring Training only to be held back for “seasoning” in Triple-A because he needed to work on his defense. The Cubs went with Mike Olt to start the season at third base, conveniently calling up Bryant only after Olt suffered a fractured wrist.

Oh yeah, and also only after being guaranteed an extra year of team control over Bryant on the back end of his first contract, meaning he wouldn’t become a free agent until after the 2021 season. Bryant filed a grievance through the player’s union back in 2015 and four years later, it’s being heard this week.

Chicago Cubs: Could this be the last year of Bryzzo?

If your main concern is not about Bryant, but about the Cubs, a grievance loss in the Bryant case could force the Cubs’ hand into trading the superstar. Despite how the move might go over with some fans, it might be necessary to get what they can for one year of Bryant in a trade if they feel they can’t extend him for a price they’re comfortable with.

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This could have an enormous effect on not just the 2021 Cubs, but even next year’s squad. If Bryant is moved, the return for the third baseman could bring back prospects or several major league ready players who the Cubs could then deploy in different ways.

While they would be losing a perennial All-Star, it’s possible the return could help them in the future when Bryant would have been gone anyhow.

The team could also decide to go into 2020 with Bryant as their regular third baseman with the intention to deal him at the trade deadline to the highest bidder.

Chicago could do this even if they’re in contention depending on what pieces they would get back in an attempt to maximize leverage and play interested teams off one another. If the Cubs went after infielders like Anthony Rendon in free agency or Francisco Lindor via trade this offseason, that might be a not-so-subtle indication that the club is willing to shop Bryant either during the offseason or during the summer.

If the Cubs decide they want to keep their homegrown slugger around for another decade, it’s also possible the outcome of the grievance could push them toward a contract extension with renewed vigor. If Bryant truly wants to stick around the Friendly Confines for the foreseeable future (or the rest of his career), he might be willing to work with the Cubs on a deal that keeps him happy, comfortable, and beloved by a fanbase who makes gods of their favorite ballplayers.

No matter what happens with the grievance process, expect the younger and better-looking half of the Bryzzo tandem to help keep the Cubs successful in 2020 – either as a bat in the middle of the lineup or a blockbuster trade chip.