MLB: The most valued third baseman of 2019
By Bill Felber
MLB: The most valued third baseman of 2019
9. Kris Bryant, Cubs, $7.356 million value; $12.9 million salary
To understand the reason underlying all the antipathy in the Cubs front office concerning the retention of Bryant, it is only necessary to look at the trend lines governing his salary and his production.
Pending the outcome of a grievance filed by Bryant’s agent, he is expected to be an arbitration 3 entering 2020, probably getting close to $20 million. For purposes of comparison, the typical arb 3 can probably expect to earn half that amount at best. Two years ago the Cubs paid Bryant $1.05 million, rising to $10.85 million in 2018 and to $12.9 million in 2019.
Now about Bryant’s value. Based on OPS+, it was 142 in 2017, falling to 121 in 2017 and recovering only to 131 last season. His 6.1 WAR fell to 1.9 before partially recovering to 3.6
In sum since 2017 Bryant’s salary rose by $11.85 million while his production declined by 2.5 WAR. That’s why he’s on the market.
About his value…his .521 slugging average was only 10th best at the position, translating to $4.418 million value. His excellent .382 on-base average, third-best at the position, added $1.5 million, but his poor .953 fielding average and so-so 1,240 innings nearly cost him a spot in the overall top 10.
For the nearly $20 million he’s likely to cost in 2020, the Cubs figure they deserve better than the ninth-best third baseman in the game.