Colorado Rockies: Why Chris Rusin signing matters

Today at 6 p.m. MT, is the non-tender deadline for MLB. The Rockies facing arbitration this off-season are Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, Tony Wolters, Chad Bettis, Jon Gray, Tyler Anderson and Scott Oberg. Arenado’s contract is of the upmost importance but it’s a decision made by the Rockies on Thursday that may give some insight as to the front office’s thinking about their pitching staff. Lefty Chris Rusin signed a deal Thursday giving him another year with the club for $1.69 million.

This is a relatively low risk on a player who has been through thick and thin with the Rockies and now management seemingly returning the favor. In 2017, being his best in the majors, he pitched 85 innings with a 2.65 ERA becoming a quiet but straight forward leader in one of the best Rockies’ bullpens ever. Rusin had the worst year of his career as a reliever in an injury plagued 2018 season. He only pitched 52.2 innings with a 6.09 ERA.

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General Manager Jeff Bridich praised Rusin early in November to the Denver Post considering him a rebound candidate because of the way he has pitched in the past. This shows managements commitment to veterans who have showed a stabilizing force even if they face some hardships. Last season, the front office rightfully spent an exorbitant amount to secure free agent talent to send the Rockies over the edge to get them past the first Wild Card game.

While they were able to accomplish that goal in 2018, they did it with effective starting pitching as the bullpen regressed. Expensive free agent signings were a mixed bag last year with Wade Davis ultimately worked out but it was easily Brian Shaw’s worst year after phenomenal seasons in Arizona and Cleveland. No one is blaming the Rockies by trying to fortify their bullpen even if it means overpaying. Davis and Shaw were both exciting signings and it’d be nice to have more but sticking with Rusin gives some faith in a player while avoiding some more free agent pitfalls the Rockies made last offseason. It doesn’t mean the Rockies won’t spend more on the bullpen this offseason, but so far the trend has been is to stick with what has worked in the past.

This signing might come out of necessity as well. Adam Ottavino is expected to sign with another team. (Please don’t be to an in-division rival.) While at times he looked like he could have been the 2018 closer, that wasn’t in 2017 especially at his lowest valley against the Dodgers. Bridich has shown dedication to those who have shown dedication to the Rockies.

Rusin may be best compared to Jake McGee. The left-hander came from Tampa Bay and struggled his first year in Denver. Rusin struggled from his transition from the Cubs as a starter. He subsequently did much better as a reliever. Then both had follow-up bad years with various injuries. The contracts of Rusin and McGee exhibit the patience of Rockies management and its what is needed in the wilderness of pitching at altitude. This could bode well for starter Jon Gray who experienced mostly downs the past year after he revealed he was an injury plagued season.

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The bullpen is better with Rusin in it, not only because of the stability he has shown on the bump but also in the clubhouse. He is calm and straightforward in interviews and that demeanor is exactly what this bullpen needs when it inevitably faces adversity. His signing shows management has patience and will not totally reach again this year on expensive bullpen contracts. He keeps some stability and familiarity when the Rockies lose one of their best relievers of all time in Ottavino. The Rockies need Chris Rusin and this a good affordable stable signing. The contract shows management’s patience and risk-averse approach so far to their bullpen in the offseason.

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