Kris Bryant signs seven-year, $182 million deal with Colorado Rockies, sources report

The Colorado Rockies have come to terms on a deal with 3B/OF Kris Bryant on a seven-year, $182 million, according to multiple sources.

The 30-year-old superstar is a former 2015 National League Rookie of the Year and 2016 NL MVP with the Chicago Cubs. 

Bryant’s contract is the largest ever given to a free agent by the Rockies and highest since Mike Hampton received an eight-year, $121 million deal in December 2000. 

A four-time All-Star, Bryant has a career batting average of .278 with 162 home runs and 487 runs batted in. During his MVP-campaign, he elevated the Cubs to their first World Series in 108 years.

Bryant has played a varied number of positions and batted in the lineup at both the top and the middle. He’s played multiple positions, most frequently at third base and left field; he’s spent time in center field and can play first base as well.

Every team in baseball dreams of having a player and person as good as Bryant, but the move is a curious one from a team that just traded away its franchise player Nolan Arenado – plus $51 million – just 13 months ago.

The fascination with Bryant began long before this offseason.

Back in 2013, Colorado had a strong interest in the University of San Diego slugger who was head and shoulders above the other college hitters from that year. Had the Chicago Cubs not selected Bryant with the second overall pick, it would have been him – and not Jon Gray – as the Rockies selection at the third pick.

This offseason, GM Bill Schmidt has spent $274.85 million in his first offseason to pull the club out of the bottom half of the NL West and end a streak of three consecutive losing seasons.

Before the acquisition of Bryant, Colorado recently signed José Iglesias to replace Trevor Story at shortstop, Alex Colomé to battle for a spot as the closer and Chad Kuhl to fortify the rotation as the fifth starter.

The Rockies open their season against the Los Angeles Dodgers at home on April 8 for a full slate of 162 games.