Kris Bryant and Rockies close deal for 7 years

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, USA (AP) — Kris Bryant wore the Colorado Rockies jersey for the first time and then started a long list of thanks during the press conference where he was formally presented, in which he appointed the team's board manager, manager Bud Black, his representative Scott Boras and about a dozen teammates who watched since the terrace.

Then a year-old boy uttered a scream in the background. Bryant had forgotten to thank someone else.

“And Kyler,” said the player, smiling at his son.

Bryant and the Rockies closed a $182 million deal for seven seasons on Friday, giving the franchise a power bat to compete in a disputed Western Division of the National League. The Nationals MVP in 2016 may have surprised many in the world of baseball by reaching a franchise that has never won a World Series, but the slugger is not at all surprised that he now considers Coors Field his home.

“I love Denver, I love the city,” Bryant said. “I've always seen myself living here. Now that I have a son and two more on the way, a large family, the simple fact of being close to home is a plus point for me

“I was thrilled to hear that the Rockies were looking to reach a deal with a bat, and I felt like I was really adapting here.”

The third baseman and gardener obtained a $7 million contract bonus, payable within 15 days of signing the contract. He will receive a salary of $17 million this year, $27 million in each of the next two seasons and $26 million in each of his last four campaigns.

Bryant reaches his third team in eight months after spending his first six major league seasons with the Chicago Cubs, who in July last year traded him to the San Francisco Giants.