Colorado Rockies: Reliever Chris Rusin avoids arbitration
![DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Chris Rusin #52 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Getty Images) DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Chris Rusin #52 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Froxpile-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F01-2F849648868-san-diego-padres-v-colorado-rockies-jpg-850x560-556280e9605fd456a9dfd446e1f967f9.jpg)
It was announced today that Colorado Rockies reliever of Chris Rusin avoided arbitration today by signing a one-year contract.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today on Twitter, Rockies reliever Chris Rusin avoided arbitration for a contract for 2018 with the Rockies by signing a 1-year, $1.2875 million contract.
Also avoiding arbitration today: Blake Parker, $1.8 million with #Angels, Chris Rusin, $1.287,500 w #Rockies and Jake Marisnick, $1.9 million with #Astros
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 11, 2018
To me, this seems like a very low number for Rusin as he was the Rockies most consistent reliever in 2017 and, arguably, their best.
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Rusin in the past two seasons
In 2017, it was Rusin’s first full season in relief and he pitched very well. Rusin went 5-2 with a 2.65 ERA (189 ERA+). He also pitched in 60 games and 85 innings pitched so, often, he pitched in more than one inning for the Rockies. He struck out 7.5 per nine innings and walked only 2.0 per nine innings.
He mainly pitched in relief in 2016 but he did make seven starts. In 84 1/3 innings of work, he had an ERA of 3.74 (130 ERA+), 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings, 2.5 walks, and a WAR of 2.0.
Rusin also had a 2.4 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) in 2017, according to Baseball Reference. That was eighth highest on the Rockies. Ahead of him (in order) was Nolan Arenado (7.2), Charlie Blackmon (6.0), Kyle Freeland (3.4), German Marquez (3.1), Jon Gray (2.9), DJ LeMahieu (2.9), and Trevor Story (2.6).
Final Thoughts
As Jake Shapiro of BSN Denver noted on Twitter, this is a very economical contract for the Rockies.
Chris Rusin 2017: 85 IP, 2.65 ERA, 189 ERA+, 1.106 WHIP, 2.3 WAR, + 2.0 2016 WAR
— Jake Shapiro, but thankful 🦃 (@Shapalicious) January 11, 2018
Wade Davis 2017: 59 IP, 2.30 ERA, 190 ERA+, 1.142 WHIP, 1.9 WAR, + 1.8 2016 WAR
Rusin will make $1.3m in 2018
Davis will make $16.0m in 2018
As Shapiro says in more simplier terms:
in english, Chris Rusin will make 10 times less money to be roughly equal value to Wade Davis who deserves that money, that's how good of a deal the Rox are getting on Rusin. Also, how messed up the arb system is and how wacky the reliever market has gotten
— Jake Shapiro, but thankful 🦃 (@Shapalicious) January 11, 2018
MLB Trade Rumors predicted that Rusin would get $1.4 million in arbitration this year, an $855,000 raise from his 2017 salary of $545k, which is just above league minimum. I actually would have projected Rusin to be higher than MLBTR’s number myself just based on how valuable he was to the Rockies in 2017.
Also, I think that it should be noted that with the money that the Rockies saved and the money that they already have waiting, they could still go out there and find a very good corner outfielder, first baseman, or catcher to shore up their offense. In 2017, the Rockies offense, by OPS+, which adjusts to ballpark, was 26th in baseball.
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Adding a bat in a trade or in free agency that makes a good amount of money is very feasible…and with the money that the Rockies saved on Rusin for this season, it could lead to the Rockies being a bit more flexible on the market.