Bryant willing to do whatever it takes to help get Cubs back to playoffs
After reporting to spring training in Mesa, Arizona, last month, Kris Bryant immediately met with the media and openly addressed the nonstop trade rumors that started shortly after the 2019 season ended and ramped up from there.
"A city I love so much, people that I love so much, fans, teammates, everybody here I'm so comfortable with, of course you want to be here," Bryant said. "But I don't hold those cards. I just go out there and play third base and left field and right field and center field and first base and do what I do."
Bryant laughed after rattling off all the positions he played when Joe Maddon was in the dugout, but he is likely to spend most of his time at his natural spot - third base - for new Cubs manager David Ross.
"For the most part, you'll see him shuffle around maybe for some defensive reasons at times, but you can plan on him being the everyday third baseman," Ross said.
That should come as welcome news to Bryant, but he is the consummate team player and willing to do whatever is necessary to help get the Cubs back to the playoffs this year.
There is still a question if he'll be with the Cubs when the season ends, but Bryant felt much better about his future after meeting with club president Theo Epstein early in camp.
"Yes I do," Bryant said when asked if he expects to stay put through the entire year.
Under contractual control through the 2021 season after losing his service-time grievance, Bryant's presence obviously makes the Cubs a better team.
A .284/.385/.516 hitter with 138 home runs and 403 RBI in 706 career games with the Cubs, Bryant is an established superstar at age 28.
He was the 2015 National League Rookie of the Year and MVP the following season after leading the Cubs to their first World Series championship in 108 years.
Bryant has also played in three All-Star Games and his 138 homers in his first five seasons are a franchise record.
While he should be playing third base on a regular basis this year, Bryant is moving to the leadoff spot.
"I think the past three years, we haven't really had someone that was stuck in the leadoff hole and stayed there," Bryant said. "I think we totally took Dexter (Fowler) for granted while he was here. I certainly did, because he was up there working great at-bats. He was always on base.
"I think we've had so much turnover, just trying certain guys out, you don't get that consistency. If I need to be the guy that's up there that's going to be consistent and get on base, I'll be that guy."
Bryant's power numbers are likely to fall as a leadoff hitter, and that could cost him money if he does hit the free-agent market after the 2021 season.
If batting first helps the Cubs win games, Bryant is good with the switch.
"He's on board," Ross said. "I'm on board. I'm excited about it. I don't know about you guys, but I'm super excited about it. I would hate to be on the other side and look at that big boy step in the box to lead things off and what he can do.
"Kris Bryant is a really good at-bat, he gets on base," Ross said. "His baseball IQ is extremely high. When you talk about putting the best players in baseball at the top of the order, I think that's our best player and I want to put him at the top."