Kris Bryant’s Contract: The Grim Reality for the Rockies
The Colorado Rockies find themselves in a troubling predicament as Kris Bryant’s contract has been deemed the worst in Major League Baseball. This megadeal, which seemed promising at its inception, has quickly spiraled into a nightmare.
The Cost of High Expectations
Major League Baseball is no stranger to exorbitant contracts that often backfire. Each offseason, teams invest heavily in players, hoping for a lucrative return. Yet, injuries and declining performances can quickly turn these investments sour. Among the many inflated contracts across the league, few have aged as poorly as the one signed by Bryant.
Cody Stavenhagen recently ranked the sport’s most regrettable contracts for The Athletic, placing Bryant’s deal at the very top. This distinction is particularly painful for the Rockies. While Anthony Rendon’s hefty seven-year, $245 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels looms large, it is nearing its conclusion. Bryant, however, has three more years at $27 million per season, making his future with the Rockies even more precarious.
A Season of Struggles
Since signing a seven-year, $182 million contract four years ago, the Rockies have seen little return on their investment. Bryant has been plagued by injuries throughout his tenure in Colorado, failing to appear in more than 80 games in any season. In total, he has played just 170 games, a figure that barely equates to a single full season.
The toll of age and constant injuries has significantly impacted his performance. Over the past three years, the former National League MVP has slashed a dismal .222/.307/.335 with only 12 home runs and 47 RBIs, culminating in a -2.2 WAR across 128 games.
The Unfortunate Reality of Trade Prospects
The Rockies’ situation with Bryant appears bleak. His high salary, coupled with a history of injuries and subpar performance, renders his contract nearly untradeable. The franchise would likely need to absorb a substantial portion of his salary to facilitate any potential trade. As Bryant approaches his age-34 season, the prospect of a resurgence seems increasingly unlikely. The decline in his skills, compounded by the challenges of playing at Denver’s high altitude, raises further concerns about his ability to contribute meaningfully moving forward.
For the Rockies, the best-case scenario is that Bryant can find a way to regain some semblance of his former self while staying healthy enough to provide value. However, the notion that his contract is a sunk cost has become an inescapable reality for the franchise.
As the Rockies grapple with their misfortune, the sports world will be watching closely to see how they navigate this challenging chapter. The specter of Bryant’s contract looms large, overshadowing the franchise’s hopes for the future.
