MESA, Ariz. _ A smiling Kris Bryant is well aware of what Nolan Arenado's eight-year, $260 million extension could do for his own financial future.
"You always look at what the other people at your position do in terms of their contracts, and you compare yourself accordingly," Bryant said Wednesday morning. "Obviously Nolan is a great player and has been doing it for a long time. He's super consistent with tons of passion playing the game. So it's nice to see another third baseman sign for that much."
Bryant added that all teams have the money to spend, pointing to the Padres' signing of Manny Machado to a 10-year, $300 million contract and Arenado's deal with the Rockies.
"It just goes to show the teams you don't expect to have the money do," Bryant said. "Nobody expected the Padres to do this, but they did. I heard they're still talking about Bryce (Harper).
"Everybody has money. We're not stupid. You see the price of tickets, the price of whatever, and the memorabilia. There are TV deals, a lot of money in this game."
Harper, the biggest name among the dozens of unsigned free agents, reportedly has been offered more than $300 million. He and Bryant share the same agent, Scott Boras.
Bryant, unlike Arenado, has a National League Most Valuable Player award on his resume with three years left before he becomes a free agent. Bryant said there haven't been any meetings with Cubs President Theo Epstein or general manager Jed Hoyer regarding an extension.
"I've said I would listen to anything they've had to say," said Bryant, reminding reporters he has made these comments in past seasons. "I'd be dumb not to hear anything they have to offer. But right now it seems like they're not willing to do that because we haven't gotten anyone new. So that's OK too."
Bryant said Arenado's contract, which has an opt-out after the third season, according to reports, is "basically a free-agent deal."
"But you look at Bryce, he's going to break whatever Nolan got, and obviously that's why he's still waiting. It just depends on the person you are. If you want to wait, you wait. If you don't, you don't. That's what it comes down to."
Bryant, 27, will earn $12.9 million this season with three seasons left under the Cubs' control.
