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Red Sox: Ranking the top five bargain contracts in Major League Baseball

By Jimmy Longo

Mar 20, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) doubles in a run against the Baltimore Orioles during a spring training game at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) doubles in a run against the Baltimore Orioles during a spring training game at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 14, 2017; Mesa, AZ, USA; (EDITORS NOTE: caption correction – Brewers player misidentified in original) Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) hits a solo home run in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers during a spring training game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; Mesa, AZ, USA; (EDITORS NOTE: caption correction – Brewers player misidentified in original) Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) hits a solo home run in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers during a spring training game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Kris Bryant

No, this isn’t fake news, the National League MVP for 2016 only made $652,000 for the entire year.

Kris Bryant‘s contract with the Cubs is about as sweet as it gets. Bryant’s play is about as sweet as it gets, too. The ability to hit for power at a young age while still being in the scratching surface of the prime of a career is about the same story the Cubs can use for about five players it seems like, give or take removing power for hitting for average, for defense, for speed and a combination of all of those.

Bryant made $566,000 to hit 39 measly home runs, drive in a dull 102 and hitting .292 at 24. Not bad.

Shortly after Mookie Betts was awarded $950,000 by the Red Sox in his one-year deal, the Cubs rewarded Bryant, paying him $1.05 million in what is now the record for highest contract given for second-year service players, previously set at $1,000,000 by Mike Trout and the Angels in 2014.

For comparison, the gaudy comparison’s that Spotrac lists for Bryant’s current contract are quite laughable to think of. Conor Gillespie of the Giants and Ryan Flaherty of the Orioles are two comparable players.

Next: 5 starting pitchers to target in pursuit of depth

At least for this season, Bryant will be the 27th highest paid third baseman in the entire major leagues.

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