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Colorado Rockies agree to seven-year deal with Kris Bryant

By Noah Yingling

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 12: Kris Bryant #23 of the San Francisco Giants runs to third base against the Los Angeles Dodgers second inning in game 4 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 12: Kris Bryant #23 of the San Francisco Giants runs to third base against the Los Angeles Dodgers second inning in game 4 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Many fans thought that the Colorado Rockies were being used as leverage by agent Scott Boras but it’s true. The Colorado Rockies have agreed to terms with third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant on a seven-year deal for $182 million, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that Bryant will also have a no-trade clause.

The Colorado Rockies have agreed to terms with free agent Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant will become the key cog in the Colorado Rockies lineup in 2022 and beyond as the two sides have agreed to terms on a seven-year deal worth $182 million.

For perspective, MLB Trade Rumors predicted that Bryant would get a six-year deal for $160 million so the Rockies had to give Bryant an extra year (which may be part of why they got him) but for a lower average annual value (AAV). His AAV will be $26 million per season, which is less than the Rockies contracted Nolan Arenado for when they extended him before the 2019 season. They gave Arenado an eight-year deal for $255 million.

Bryant also was the #4 free agent on MLBTR’s top 50 list.

As we said in this article a few days ago, Bryant, 30, is primarily a third baseman but he does have a lot of experience in the outfield as well. He has played 678 games at third base, 159 games in left field, 109 games in right field, 32 games at first base, 29 in center field, and two at shortstop at the MLB level.

The Rockies are known to like their versatile players in recent years so Bryant will definitely fit that mold. He will likely play the outfield primarily but he could see some time at third or first base.

He split the season between the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants in 2021 and he played in 144 games. He hit .265/.353/.481 with 25 homers, 73 RBI, 32 doubles, and an OPS+ of 124. He also had an rWAR of 3.3 and was an All-Star.

He had a wrist and finger injury in 2020 and he struggled as a result (73 OPS+). However, he had 31 homers and 77 RBI in 2019, he had an OPS+ of 132 in 147 games and he was an All-Star.

He was a key member of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs as he won the NL MVP. He led the NL in runs (121) and he also had 39 homers, 102 RBI, a .292/.385/.554 slash line, and an OPS+ of 144. His 7.3 rWAR also led the NL.

Next. What will the Rox bullpen look like with Alex Colomé?. dark

Bryant is from Las Vegas so the (relative) proximity to Vegas from Colorado was likely a factor as was his ties to San Diego. He went to the University of San Diego, which is where Rockies first baseman/outfielder Connor Joe went. Rockies manager Bud Black went to San Diego State and still resides in San Diego during the offseason. Rockies infielder Alan Trejo also went to SDSU.

We will have more on the Bryant signing as we get more information.

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