The Rockies and Rafael Betancourt have agreed to a contract extension, the team announced (on Twitter). Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reports that the deal guarantees Betancourt's $4.25MM mutual option for 2013, and adds an option at the same salary for 2014. The Octagon client will earn $4MM in 2012 as part of his current contract.
"Basically, the Rockies executed the mutual option I had in my contract for 2013 and added another in 2014, which guarantees me work for the next two years and the possibility of a third followed in Colorado," said Betancourt. "I prefer [security] first, I am happy the deal."
Betancourt, 37 in April, remains one of baseball's best late-game relievers. He pitched to a 2.89 ERA in 2011 with 10.5 K/9 and 1.2 BB/9 in 62 1/3 innings, saving eight games while Huston Street was on the disabled list. During his two and a half years in Colorado, Betancourt has pitched to a 3.00 ERA with 11.5 K/9 and 1.3 BB/9 in 150 innings.
Betancourt is expected to close for the Rockies in 2013 following the trade of Street to the Padres. Check out RotoAuthority's Closer Depth Chart for your fantasy bullpen needs.
I wonder if the Indians regret letting Betancourt go? He’s been pretty solid his entire career!
We do. But at the time it was ALL about money.
im surprised the news wasnt as slow to get here as Betancourt is on the mound! I cringe everytime I see him warming up….the guy’s windup/delivery is at turtle speed
He might take the most time in between pitches then anyone else I’ve seen. I’ve watch him throw a 1-2-3 innings that approach ten minutes.
very underrated
Betancourt is expected to close for the Rockies in 2013 following the trade of Street to the Padres.
Didnt even see that part…oh great. Remind me never to go to a padres-rockies home game, that final inning will take 2 hours.
who’s their closer for 2012?
Very solid performer! Even if Brothers is ready to close in 2013 I still like this extension.
Essentially, IMO this is what the Rockies should have done following 2007 with Brian Fuentes but the $$ didn’t work, but they should have committed the $ they gave to Corpas and locked up Fuentes longer. They jumped the gun on Corpas. Glad they are not with Brothers.
That makes exactly ONE good thing the Rockies have done this offseason.
What about signing Michael Cuddyer. Just a thought.
I don’t mind adding Cuddyer. I mind adding him at the expense of Seth Smith, when Smith was far younger, FAR cheaper, and nearly as productive. The fact that he can, or rather has, played a few infield positions shouldn’t be worth the extra MILLIONS he be making every year. We’re paying Cuddyer what the Phillies are paying Jimmie Rollins the next 3 years….that SUCKS.
Also, even if we deemed Smith expendable with the addition of Cuddyer…trading him for two EXTREME flyball pitchers is just about the dumbest possible option. But at least they’ll give Jamie Moyer some competition for the 6th and 7th spots in our rotation.
Signed,
Depressed Rox Fan
hahaha
Yeah…no thanks.
Wait, what? I thought all teams were giving players more than they publicly demanded these days. Am i wrong?
I like the extension, I was wondering if they were going to pursue an extension a few weeks ago. With that being said, Betancourt’s innings are about as long as a 9 inning game for other teams.
Betancourt was outstanding last season but I get the feeling he’s not a closer over an entire year or worse, more than one season. At this stage of his career I like him more as a 7th or 8th-inning guy. Thing is, Rex Brothers is not a closer, at least not yet and no one esle on the roster is.
Rockies’ Analyst
Wait. He’s going to close in 2013. What about 2012…?
So-so extension, nothing more. Pretty fair really. $4.25 million can buy a LOT of the relief market… but not much on the closing market. So they are gambling that he will turn into a dependable closer (or at VERY worst a very good set-up man).
He’s proven his ability as an 8th inning guy, for certain, and he’s also done just fine closing, at least for the Rockies.
4.25 would by you 1/2 of Ryan Madson who has skills similar to Betancourt
Ridiculous numbers out of Betancourt the past two seasons in Colorado: 124.2 IP; 3.25 ERA; 162 K; 16 BB (no, that’s not a typo); 10.13 K/BB; 0.914 WHIP.
The lone ding on his resume is that he’s given up the long ball (16 HR in those 124.2 IP). Other than that he’s been unbelieveable.