Rockies trust the power of Kris Bryant

DENVER — For every home run he hit as a kid, Kris Bryant received a $20 reward from his grandparents.

The same virtue with the bat has earned him a little more money with the Colorado Rockies.

Bryant signed a seven-year, $182 million contract with the mission of leading the Rockies to the playoffs, a place the player has reached in six of seven years throughout his career. In contrast, Colorado hasn’t made the postseason since 2018.

“It makes me very proud that I’ve never played on a losing team in the majors, and I don’t plan to,” the outfielder and infielder said of joining a franchise seeking its first AL West title. National. “I hope to bring an attitude here that I already have. I just hope to complement this and have a winning presence in the locker room.”

The 30-year-old slugger’s arrival follows the departure of infielder Trevor Story, who signed with Boston. Before Bryant’s arrival, this season held little hope for Colorado.

The most interesting additions had been Dominican reliever Alex Colomé, starter Chad Kuhl and Cuban shortstop José Iglesias.

Bryant helped lead the Chicago Cubs to a World Series title in 2016. He hopes to do the same for the Rockies, who have only made it to the Fall Classic once — in 2007, when they were swept by the Red Sox.

“I’m sure he had multiple offers,” said manager Bud Black, whose team has been fourth in the Western Division in each of the last three seasons. “But I really like the fact that he wanted to come here.”

Bryant sounded out the Rockies before the June 2013 amateur draft, believing he would end up on this team. Instead, the Cubs drafted him with the second pick and the Rockies went with right-hander Jon Gray, who is now in Texas after pitching seven seasons at Coors Field, a batting-friendly park.

“I love the city,” Bryant said. “I feel like I fit in really well here.”

Iglesias is challenged to replace Story, an idol of local fans. But Black recalled that Story himself had once had to take the place of star Troy Tulowitzki.

“You find that major league players have confidence. They like to replace really good players,” the manager said.

The Cuban is better known for his glove than for his bat. He has hit 44 career home runs since 2011, when he appeared in the Major Leagues. He was selected to the All-Star Game in 2015.

“I currently feel like a complete player,” Iglesias said.

Bryant, Iglesias, Colomé and Kuhl will not be the only new faces. The Rockies acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk in a trade that sent outfielder Raimel Tapia and Venezuelan prospect Adrian Pinto to Toronto.

Grichuk would compete for an outfield spot or be designated hitter. He hit 22 home runs last season.

The Rockies open the season hosting the Dodgers on April 8. They went 6-13 against Los Angeles last season.