Kris Bryant‘s tumultuous tenure with the Colorado Rockies has been marked by underwhelming performance and nagging injuries. The skepticism surrounding his signing has proven warranted, with the team’s struggles mirroring his own. In a candid 2024 interview with The Athletic, Bryant admitted to underestimating the Rockies’ distance from contention. Despite the disappointing results, Bryant’s contract ensures he’ll remain in Denver for the foreseeable future – a reality both he and the team must confront.
Kris Bryant’s Rocky Road Continues
In 2016, Bryant won a World Series with the Chicago Cubs. Although he still wants to win, already accomplishing the pinnacle of the sport may have had a part in his signing with the Rockies. The Rockies knew they would have to overpay for Bryant, and he was in a rush to get on a team as the league-wide lockout had just ended, and spring training was quickly approaching. The Rockies were tying themselves to Bryant past his prime and would not be ready to compete for the postseason.
But team owner Dick Monfort prioritizes money over fielding a competitive ball club and needed a new franchise face since Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story were gone.
The Constant Injury Bug
Bryant gave him that, but the shine quickly wore off. Bryant was placed on the 10-day injured list three times in 2022 due to nagging left foot injuries and a lower back strain. He played only 42 games in his first year with the Rockies. The only season (excluding 2020) where he played less than 100 games in his career. In those 42 games, he hit a respectable .306/.376/.475, which made the injuries all the more frustrating.
There was optimism, however, from Bryant that a normal offseason would lead to a healthier 2023. However, in 2023, Bryant was placed on the 10-day injured list twice for extended periods due to various injuries. This resulted in only 80 games played, in which he hit a career-low of .233/.313/.367. 2024 was the worst season yet, as he was active for only 37 games. No one is more frustrated than Bryant about the constant injuries and inconsistency he has faced since joining Colorado. But the Rockies and Bryant will have to hope he can stay healthy next season because he’s not going anywhere.
The $181 Million Contract…
Rockies fans began to boo Bryant at the start of 2023 as he continued to struggle. It gained attention in the media because this was not normal for fans in Denver. Fans were growing increasingly frustrated with the Bryant situation. They were seeing the highest-paid player on the Rockies continually struggling and dealing with injuries.
Kris Bryant strikes out on three pitches. Many of the Coors Field faithful boo the Rockies first baseman. pic.twitter.com/XHQN50kFBa
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) April 5, 2024
The Bryant signing gained comparisons to the infamous Denver Broncos acquisition of Russell Wilson. The deal seemed worse with every passing day. But the issue is that Bryant has $27 million fully guaranteed in each of the next four seasons. If a team even wanted to take a chance on acquiring Bryant, hoping he would regain his all-star form, the injuries, and poor play he has shown the past three seasons would give them serious pause.
How Do Both Sides Move Forward?
However, this is the Rockies, so you can never entirely rule anything out. General manager Bill Schmidt has shown more of a willingness to trade players since taking over for his predecessor, Jeff Bridich. Perhaps he finds the Bryant situation untenable enough that he would be willing to eat dead money on Bryant’s contract. But there are more likely trade candidates, per Rockies insider Patrick Saunders. The Rockies recently paid $51 million to trade Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals. Schmidt might be more inclined to hope that Bryant can regain his old form instead of yet again shelling out millions for a player on another team.
How can both sides make it work? Bryant reportedly met with spinal surgeon Robert G. Watkins IV, who has previously worked on athletes such as Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw. Bryant has hope after conversations with Watkins IV;
“He said there are guys he’s had in his back program, and these guys have gotten to my level 5 and haven’t had any back problems.
“Hearing that’s possible gets me excited and makes me want to get up in the morning and say, ‘I’m going to do this, and I’m going to get better and see if that works.’ Hopefully, it does.”
Bryant’s inability to stay healthy and perform well with the Rockies after so many years as a premier player is increasingly frustrating. But, several of Bryant’s back injuries came from him colliding with the fence when he made outstanding catches in the outfield. Perhaps giving Bryant more playing time at designated hitter, a spot left vacant by recently retired Charlie Blackmon, will result in less time spent on the IL and more power in his bat.
Maybe Bryant getting treatment from Watkins IV will be a turning point. It’s easy to have a cynical response, a regular feeling Rockies fans already have. They heard similar things about Bryant before 2022-23, why would 2024 be different? But Bryant is not going anywhere, so why not hope?
Main Photo: © Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
