Sources confirmed to ESPN Wednesday that third baseman Chris Bryant and the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a seven-year, $182 million contract.
Bryant is heading to his third group in eight months after spending his first six seasons within the league with the Chicago Cubs, which he swapped with the San Francisco Giants final July.
He obtained off to a scorching begin with the Cubs however calmed some after the commerce, slicing .265/.353/.481 between the 2 groups. The 2016 Nationwide League Participant of the 12 months and World Collection Champion had a 25-player, 73-player RBI whole final season, notching an eight-stroke within the Giants’ five-game playoff loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Regardless of a mid-season stoop that precipitated the commerce, Bryant earned his fourth profession All-Star decide throughout a stable restoration from a grueling 2020 season wherein he struggled on the board and accidents.
The Rockies clearly cherished what they noticed: Bryant struck a large free-agent deal to maneuver to Colorado as a mid-table racket and a participant who may play third base, first base or on the sphere. Bryant can be an apparent candidate to hitch Charlie Blackmon among the many designated hitters of the Rockies.
The 2015 NL Rookie’s 2015 right-hand swing will even compensate for the left-hand tilt into the off-court lineup for the Rockies, who haven’t gained a playoff sport since 2009.
MLB Community first reported on Bryant’s take care of the Rockies.
Colorado has made a big funding in being aggressive in NL West after the turmoil over the previous yr, together with final yr’s commerce from the Nolan Arenado and the potential imminent departure of Trevor Story.
Bryant obtained off to a scorching begin final season, scoring 322 in April and 327 in Might. His 1,078 OPS in April obtained Cubs followers excited, however his 0.14 hitting common in June, throughout which he solely earned 9 occasions a month, calmed the MVP speak. In the long run, he was traded to the Giants for prospects as his seven-year profession in Chicago ended.
Certainly one of Bryant’s finest traits is his skill to play everywhere in the diamond as an above common participant. In 2023, he performed 93 video games on the sphere, 55 at third base, and one other dozen at first base.
Since 2017, Bryant’s manufacturing and power has been restricted by shoulder, knee, ankle and hand accidents. However he is at all times been a dependable participant and might nonetheless hit at a excessive fee when he is wholesome. In lots of formations, he is without doubt one of the strongest in relation to the opponent, and he was chosen accordingly.
Total, Bryant is a profession .278 hitter with 167 homers and 487 RBIs, however he is on the cusp of getting a full season of play at batter-friendly Coors Area, hitting .263 (15 for 57) with two homers, 9 RBIs and 757 OPS.
Jesse Rogers of ESPN and The Related Press contributed to this report.
