SF Giants: Building an extension for slugger Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant #23 of the SF Giants bats against the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh inning at American Family Field on August 08, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Kris Bryant #23 of the SF Giants bats against the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh inning at American Family Field on August 08, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
4 of 4
SF Giants, Kris Bryant
SF Giants third baseman Kris Bryant (23) waits on deck against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Chase Field. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

SF Giants: Building an extension with Kris Bryant
3. The Midpoint

Estimate: six-years, $170 million

I’ve made it pretty clear that Springer’s deal with Toronto seems like a reasonable framework for Bryant’s negotiations. Set to enter free agency a year younger than Springer, a seven-year, $175 million contract, which adds an extra year on top of Springer’s deal, would seem to be a fit for both sides. However, I think both Boras and the Giants might both be incentivized to work out a slightly shorter deal.

Since joining the Giants, Zaidi has shown a penchant for long-term flexibility and has plenty of payroll space to offer Bryant a larger AAV for a shorter deal. At Bryant’s age, it would probably maximize his financial earnings to look for a seven or eight-year deal now. However, if he is willing to bet on himself, it could pay dividends to sign a high-AAV three-year, $100 million or four-year, $120 million contract with hopes that strong play into his mid-thirties could give him another bite at the apple.

Also, Boras might know that Bryant will be unable to set any records with a contract in free agency in terms of total value. Agents want to make a splash with every signing. Bryant could easily shoot up AAV leaderboards with a shorter-term deal. The question is, how much security is he willing to sacrifice to do it? While I would not be shocked if both sides went in this direction, I’m skeptical that Bryant would pass on a bit more long-term security.

A six-year deal seems like a reasonable compromise. By carrying Bryant through his age-35 season, it’s not inconceivable that he could still sign another significant contract. For Zaidi, he could be a bit more confident in giving Bryant a higher AAV with the knowledge that it won’t carry into his late-thirties. A six-year, $170 million contract would give Bryant the seventh-largest AAV among active position players, adding more than $3 million a year over Springer’s deal with the Blue Jays.

Kris Bryant’s time with the SF Giants could end shortly if the two sides do not work out an extension. The powerful slugger will be hotly pursued this offseason by several front offices if he reaches the open market. Of course, after recent comments suggesting he hopes to stay in the Bay Area beyond 2021, it seems like an extension to stay with the Orange and Black could be in the cards.

Schedule