Chicago Cubs could lose Kris Bryant after the 2020 season

Chicago Cubs: Could this be the last time you see Bryant in a Cubs uniform?

If Bryant should win his grievance against the Cubs (which by most accounts seems unlikely), the Cubs and other teams would be forced to reconsider past and current strategies used to manipulate the service time on young and promising players like Bryant or this year’s example, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Bryant, who under current conditions, will be under team control for two more seasons, could find himself a free agent after this coming 2020 season if his side is able to prove the Cubs held him back solely to gain an extra year of team control.

While we all know this is exactly what the Cubs and other teams have done in the past, the MLBPA and the players themselves are to blame for the language in their current collective bargaining agreement. It’s likely to be one of the sticking points going forward – especially if Bryant doesn’t win his case.

In terms of impact on Bryant and the Cubs if Bryant wins, it’s pretty simple.

If Bryant wins his case, he would stand to gain another year of money-making control and power. He would gain a year of his prime as a free agent, making an eight or 10-year mega deal even more of a probability for the slugger.

As one of the best all-around players in the game, the former NL MVP would no doubt command upwards of $250 million if unleashed on the open market in the fall of 2020. Whether it’s a new contract with the Cubs or some other suitor in free agency, Bryant would be a huge winner if the case goes his way.