Miami Marlins ‘badly’ wanted Kris Bryant

With their first round pick in the 2013 draft, the Cubs selected Kris Bryant. Chicago was coming off of a rough season and hoping to add a versatile player to its minor league system. Bryant proved to be just that.

A significant contributor this season, Bryant was sought by the Marlins, according to Today’s Knuckleball’s Jon Heyman. Heyman adds the Marlins “badly” wanted Bryant, who would have been the more productive option when compared to the numbers Colin Moran posted in his time in Miami’s farm system.

It’s rare to hear the Marlins have enough interest in a player to go “blank check,” but they too were fond of Bryant’s talent, and now it is clear why. Over 155 games this season, Bryant batted .292/.385/.554 with 39 home runs and 102 RBIs.

Bryant, still just 24, could have proven to be a valuable outfield or third base option for the Marlins. But the Cubs made sure Miami wouldn’t have the opportunity to draft him, and the Marlins selected Moran, who was eventually sent to Houston in the Jarred Cosart trade.

Bryant played a key role in helping Chicago get to the postseason but could have emerged as a franchise player for the Marlins. Giancarlo Stanton and Bryant could have played together on the same field.

Regardless, it’s unclear whether the Marlins would have paid more than $6 million for an unproven draft pick. Nonetheless, it seemed to be an option.