The Rockies were pushing hard Monday night to land a power hitter they believe can enhance their lineup, with Kris Bryant emerging as the leading contender.
In the meantime, Colorado added veteran right-hander Chad Kuhl. A source confirmed the move, which still needs to be finalized, pending a physical. Kuhl, 31, would compete for the fifth spot in the rotation.
A major league source said that Bryant, 30, a high-profile free agent, was the club’s top priority. However, if the Rockies can’t land Bryant, they have also investigated signing outfielders Kyle Schwarber or Michael Conforto.
Bryant, the second overall pick by the Cubs in the 2013 draft, can play multiple positions and could also serve as a designated hitter. Bryant became a star in Chicago and ranked third among all position players in WAR from 2015-17. He was named National League MVP in 2016 when the Cubs won the World Series.
Bryant, however, has dealt with injuries in recent seasons. A shoulder injury limited him to 102 games in 2018, and an assortment of minor injuries derailed his 2020 season. He played in just 34 of 60 games in the pandemic-shortened season.
Last season, Bryant was traded from Chicago to San Francisco, helping lead the Giants to the National League West title and a 107-win season. Bryant played 55 games at third base, 48 in left field, 39 in right field, 19 in center field, and 12 at first base for the Cubs and Giants.
Bryant hit .265 with 25 homers and a .835 OPS over 144 games.
Philadelphia appeared to be Colorado’s chief competitor to land Bryant. The Phillies’ Bryce Harper, the 2021 NL MVP, is a close friend of Bryant’s and he was pushing the Phillies to sign Bryant, Schwarber or former Cincinnati outfielder Nick Castellanos.
“I think all three are winners,” “I think they’ve proven that. Schwarber, of course, he won in Chicago, did a great job for the Red Sox last year, and the Nationals. He’s a winner as a player. KB can play everywhere, third base, first base, DH, left field. He’s a winner as well, and he’s done that. He’s come up in big spots, big situations.”
The deal for Kuhl was was It’s a one-year, major-league contract for $3 million guaranteed.
The 29-year-old was a starter for most of his five seasons with the Pirates, although he spent time in the bullpen down the stretch last year after dealing with COVID-19. Kuhl, who’s spent his entire career with Pittsburgh, could provide depth to the rotation, which lost right-hander Jon Gray to free agency.
Kuhl went 5-7 with a personal-worst 4.82 ERA in 28 appearances (14 starts) in 2021, with 75 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings. The Pirates non-tendered him in November.
In five big-league seasons, Kuhl is 25-30 with a 4.44 ERA in 100 games (84 starts) and 395 strikeouts in 439 2/3 innings. He’s been prone to giving up home runs, averaging 1.2 per nine innings.
He had a difficult 2018 season when he was hit hard, posting a 4.55 ERA in 85 innings before an elbow injury led to Tommy John surgery. He missed all of the 2019 season.
The right-hander was selected in the ninth round of the 2013 draft out of the University of Delaware.
