The Colorado Rockies had a choice few bright spots in their 2020 campaign. However, one of the brightest performances they saw was from reliever Daniel Bard. Tuesday the Rockies and Bard agreed on a contract that avoids arbitration. The one-year deal provides Bard a $2.925 million salary for the 2021 season.
The Rough Road
The 35-year old returned to the big leagues by making the Rockies Opening Day bullpen as a non-roster invitee. The last time Bard had pitched in the big leagues was a brief two-game stint for the Boston Red Sox in 2013. That was the end of a disastrous run of “the yips” that saw Bard’s command of even simpler pitches leave him.
In 2012, the former first-round pick walked 43 batters and hit eight in just 59 1/3 innings of work. His 6.22 ERA and 1.736 WHIP reflected his struggles. Bard was granted free agency in December of 2013 and kept trying to catch on with other teams. He made attempts with the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets before walking away from the game altogether in 2017.
Back From The Departed
The desire to give his career one last shot still burned inside Bard and that’s when he and the Rockies met at a familiar juncture for both. Rockies Vice President and general manager Jeff Bridich has been a champion of comebacks in the past having brought in the likes of Matt Holliday and Ryan Howard for late career looks. Holiday worked out well as a bench bat. Howard, who signed a minor league deal, still had his trademark power but struggled making contact on his late 30’s trial. Bard would be another such low risk, high reward move and would fulfill Bridich’s confidence with a strong season.
The Numbers
In 24 2/3 innings of work, Bard compiled a 4-2 record, 3.65 ERA and 1.297 WHIP, a lot of which in the rarified air of Coors Field. The rangy right-hander did well enough to be tried as a closer late in the season and converted six saves. His performance was good enough to earn the National League Comeback Player of the Year award. Still arbitration eligible, Daniel Bard stood to make between $1.2 million-$2.2 million. Bridich saw fit to make Bard extra happy with the near-$3 million contract.
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