Kris Bryant, the former National League MVP, and All-Star third baseman is currently a free agent looking for his next team. While there are several teams vying for his services, there have been rumors that Bryant might be interested in signing with the Colorado Rockies.
This has left many fans and analysts wondering: why would Bryant choose to sign with the Rockies, a team that finished in last place in the National League West in 2021?
In this blog post, we will explore some of the possible reasons why Kris Bryant might be considering a move to Colorado, including the Rockies’ emerging players, strong starting pitching staff, and the appeal of playing in Denver.
While there’s no way to know for sure what Bryant will decide, the possibility of him joining the Rockies is an intriguing one that’s worth exploring.
The Rockies’ Emerging Players
One reason why Kris Bryant might consider signing with the Rockies is their emerging players. Two of the most notable young players on the Rockies’ roster are shortstop Trevor Story and second baseman Brendan Rodgers.
The story has been one of the best shortstops in baseball over the past few seasons, with an impressive combination of power and speed. Meanwhile, Rodgers is a former first-round pick who has shown flashes of brilliance in his limited major league experience.
These young players could be seen as reminiscent of the young Cubs players that emerged alongside Bryant early in his career.
Players like Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez came up through the Cubs’ system around the same time as Bryant and developed into key contributors on the team’s championship-winning roster in 2016.
Bryant might be attracted to the idea of playing alongside players like Story and Rodgers and helping them develop their games.
As a former Rookie of the Year and MVP himself, Bryant knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level and could be a valuable mentor for these young players.
Additionally, the potential to build a winning team around these emerging stars could be a major draw for Bryant. If he believes that the Rockies’ young talent could develop into a contender in the near future, he might be more likely to sign with them.
The Rockies’ Starting Pitching Staff
Another reason why Kris Bryant might be considering signing with the Rockies is their starting pitching staff. While the Rockies struggled as a team in 2021, their starting pitching was actually a relative strength.
German Marquez and Jon Gray, in particular, emerged as frontline starters for the Rockies. Marquez posted a 3.75 ERA and struck out 174 batters in 182.2 innings, while Gray had a 4.10 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 140 innings.
Bryant has played on teams with strong pitching in the past, most notably the Chicago Cubs teams that won the World Series in 2016.
He knows how important it is to have quality starting pitching in order to compete at the highest level. If he believes that the Rockies’ starting rotation has the potential to be one of the best in the league, he might be more inclined to sign with them.
Furthermore, the Rockies play in one of the toughest divisions in baseball, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres among their main competitors.
Having a strong starting rotation could be key to competing with these teams and making a run at a playoff spot. Bryant might believe that the Rockies’ pitching staff gives them a fighting chance in this tough division and that he could help contribute to a winning team.
The Appeal of Playing in Denver
Finally, another reason why Kris Bryant might be considering signing with the Rockies is the appeal of playing in a city like Denver. Denver is known for its high quality of life, with a thriving cultural scene, a diverse food and drink scene, and plenty of outdoor activities, including skiing and hiking.
Bryant has spent his entire career playing in larger cities like Chicago and San Francisco. While those cities certainly have their own appeal, they can also be busy and overwhelming at times.
Playing in a city like Denver could offer Bryant a chance to live in a more relaxed and outdoorsy environment, with plenty of opportunities to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of the region.
The appeal of living in Denver could be a major factor in Bryant’s decision, especially if he’s looking for a change of pace from the larger cities where he’s played in the past.
Additionally, the Rockies’ front office could use the city’s many attractions as a selling point to entice Bryant to sign with the team.
Overall, while the appeal of playing in Denver might not be the primary factor in Bryant’s decision, it could certainly be a consideration that weighs in the Rockies’ favor.
Financial Considerations
Of course, when it comes to free agency, money is always a major factor in a player’s decision. While it’s unclear what kind of contract Kris Bryant might be seeking, it’s likely that he will be looking for a deal that pays him what he’s worth based on his track record and performance on the field.
The Rockies could potentially offer Bryant a competitive contract, especially if they see him as a key piece in their efforts to build a winning team.
However, there are many factors that go into a free agent decision beyond just money, and it’s impossible to say how much of a factor financial considerations will be for Bryant.
It’s possible that Bryant could be willing to take a slightly smaller contract in order to play for a team that he believes has a good chance of winning or to play in a city that he enjoys.
Alternatively, he could be looking to maximize his earnings and sign with the team that offers him the most money. Only time will tell what kind of contract Bryant will ultimately sign, and how much money will play a role in his decision-making process.
Compares Some of the Key Factors That Could Be Driving Kris Bryant’s Free Agent Decision
| Factor | Colorado Rockies | Other Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Emerging Players | Trevor Story, Brendan Rodgers | Varies by team |
| Starting Pitching | German Marquez, Jon Gray | Varies by team |
| City/Quality of Life | Denver, CO | Varies by team |
| Financial Considerations | Potentially competitive offer | Varies by team |
The table compares the Colorado Rockies to “other teams” in terms of some of the key factors that could be driving Kris Bryant’s free-agent decision.
The factors include the emerging players on each team, the strength of the starting pitching staff, the city and quality of life, and financial considerations.
While the Rockies offer a young and talented lineup and a strong starting pitching staff, other teams may have their own strengths to offer.
Similarly, the city and quality of life in Denver may be appealing to some players, but other cities may offer their own unique advantages.
Ultimately, financial considerations will also play a role in Bryant’s decision, and each team will have to make their own competitive offer to try to sign him.
FAQs
What position does Kris Bryant play?
Kris Bryant is primarily a third baseman, but he has also played some outfield during his career.
What teams are interested in signing Kris Bryant?
At this time, it’s unclear which teams are actively pursuing Kris Bryant. However, many teams are likely to be interested in signing a player of his caliber, especially given the lack of star power available in the free-agent market.
What kind of contract could Kris Bryant be seeking?
It’s unclear what kind of contract Kris Bryant will be seeking, but it’s likely that he will be looking for a multi-year deal worth tens of millions of dollars. Given his track record of success and his relatively young age (he will be 30 at the start of the 2022 season), he could command a significant salary on the free-agent market.
When will Kris Bryant make a decision on where to sign?
It’s difficult to say when Kris Bryant will make a decision on where to sign, as there are many factors at play and negotiations can be complex. However, it’s likely that he will sign with a team before the start of the 2022 season.
What kind of impact could Kris Bryant have on a team?
Kris Bryant is a talented and versatile player who can make an impact both at the plate and on the field. He has a track record of success and has been a key player on winning teams in the past. Signing a player like Bryant could help a team to compete at a higher level and could potentially make them a contender for a playoff spot or even a World Series championship.
Conclusion
There are many factors that could be driving Kris Bryant’s decision on where to sign as a free agent, and the Colorado Rockies are certainly one team that could be in the mix.
The Rockies offer a number of appealing factors, including a young and talented lineup, a strong starting pitching staff, and the appeal of playing in a city like Denver.
While money will undoubtedly be a factor in Bryant’s decision, it’s clear that he will also be looking at other factors beyond just his salary. Ultimately, only time will tell where Bryant will end up, but the Rockies could certainly be a contender to sign one of the top free agents on the market.
