The Kris Bryant to the Mets rumor mill can finally close.
The third baseman and outfielder signed a seven-year, $182 million deal to join the Colorado Rockies.
Bryant replaces Nolan Arenado who departed before the 2021 season when Colorado paid the St. Louis Cardinals $51 million to take on Arenado. Now they’ll pay Bryant instead.
It was reported by SNYs Andy Martino that Bryant was no longer on New York’s radar when the lockout ended. Instead the Mets chose to commit their cash to Starling Marte, Mark Canha, Eduardo Escobar, Max Scherzer, and others.
The Mets were one of the most connected teams to Bryant prior to the lockout and were reportedly interested prior to last season’s trade deadline.
Now the 30-year-old will finish up his career at Coors Field and not Citi Field.
It was thought that Bryant’s contract would range in the six-year, $160 million mark. Instead, he’ll get an extra year and an extra $22 million. With the Mets having to look toward their future and eventual contracts to give out to guys like Jacob deGrom, Pete Alonso, or Brandon Nimmo, they couldn’t take on the cost. Especially when they have the best third-base prospect in baseball that would have his position blocked.
