What in the world is going on with the Rockies $182M man Kris Bryant?

When the Rockies gave free agent Kris Bryant a seven-year, $182 million contract this offseason, fans had high expectations.

He hasn’t met those. At all.

Bryant’s first year with the Rockies has been marred by injuries. He’s played just 42 games, hitting a minuscule five home runs and adding just 14 RBI. He hasn’t hit a single homer at Coors Field. Not one.

Bryant’s latest stint on the injured list is due to plantar fasciitis. It’s a painful foot problem that has him in a walking boot, and it’s unclear whether or not Bryant will play another game for the Rockies this season. Manager Bud Black isn’t willing to rule him out, but said he’ll have another update in a week or so after Bryant receives a PRP injection to hopefully help the healing process.

There’s a common misconception that owner Dick Monfort isn’t willing to spend money on his baseball team. That’s just wrong. The Rockies are right in the middle of the pack, dishing out roughly $140 million in total salary this year, good for 17th in MLB.

The Rockies, however, are bad at spending money. Former GM Jeff Bridich gave out horrible contracts to a bullpen that never lived up to expectations. And now current GM Bill Schmidt stumbled in a big way giving Bryant so much money, apparently looking to compensate for the losses of Nolan Arenado and more recently, Trevor Story.

Bryant is 30-years-old, which isn’t an age that exactly makes him spry, but it’s also not football where that means his career is almost over. There is time for him to come back and have some nice seasons with the Rockies. But after three IL stints in first year, this tenure is off to a very poor start.

Colorado is 54-71 and in dead last in the National League West. They were embarrassed by Texas 16-4 on Wednesday afternoon at Coors Field. Why in the world would Bryant be rushing back to play with this team this season? He’ll get his big paycheck either way.

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