Report: Cubs, Bryant agree to $19.5M deal in last arbitration-eligible season

The Chicago Cubs and star third baseman Kris Bryant agreed to a one-year, $19.5-million contract for the 2021 campaign to avoid arbitration, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.

Bryant, 29, is eligible to become a free agent at the conclusion of the season.

The 2016 NL MVP is reportedly on the trade block. The Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and Washington Nationals have checked in on him during the offseason.

Bryant is coming off a disappointing 2020 season that saw him slash .206/.293/.351 with four home runs in 34 games for the Cubs. However, the three-time All-Star owns a career .889 OPS with 142 homers and 414 RBIs across six years in the majors.