Colorado Rockies, Daniel Bard “finalizing” a contract extension

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Colorado Rockies and closer Daniel Bard are “finalizing” a contract extension. It will be a two-year deal for $19 million.

Bard was in the final year of his contract with the Rockies. As a result, the club was listening to trade offers for him (and their other impending free agents) but for Bard at least, that will be negated.

Colorado Rockies, Daniel Bard are “finalizing” a contract extension

The Colorado Rockies have decided to extend their closer Daniel Bard after he has had a great start to this season.

Bard has appeared in 37 games with 21 saves in 23 opportunities. He has a 1.91 ERA but he has had a bit of a high walk rate (4.5 BB/9). As a result, his FIP is 3.55 but he has a good WHIP (1.035) and a great strikeout rate (10.3 K/9).

Bard just turned 37 years old on June 25 so a two-year deal is pretty good for a contract length. The amount is also good. Bard would get a significant raise, as he is making $4.4 million but an average annual value (AAV) of $9.5 million for a closer that is having All-Star results is fair.

The problem for the Rockies with relievers, though, is consistency. That’s where the Rockies could have an issue. With Bard himself, he was the NL Comeback Player of the Year in the shortened 2020 season. He had a 3.65 ERA (143 ERA+) in 23 games with six saves.

In 2021, Bard appeared in 67 games and had to be removed as closer. He had a 5.21 ERA with a very high walk rate of 4.9 per nine innings. His hit rate (9.5 H/9) and home run rate (1.1 HR/9) also went much higher than they were in 2020.

For Bard, it’s a great deal. Especially with not pitching in the majors from 2014 through 2019, he was not able to cash in on his usual “prime” years. With this deal, he will make more in two years than he had made in his previous eight seasons in the majors combined.

Colorado Rockies: It’s time to let some players go

If there is any hope of this team being competitive any time soon, the Colorado Rockies need to stop thinking about the present and focus on the future.