Daniel Bard has signed to a two-year, $19 million extension with the Colorado Rockies, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinstand. The 37-year-old right-hander was a trade target for several teams. Despite the trade rumors, the Rockies have openly insisted that Bard was not on the trade market. He will continue to be the Rockies’ closer for the next two years rather than test the free agent market.
Daniel Bard’s extension with the Rockies is expected to be for two years and about $19 million, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2022
Bard signed with the Rockies as a free agent before the 2020 season after retiring from the New York Mets in October 2017. He played four seasons with the Boston Red Sox before signing minor league deals with different teams. Through 37 games in 2022, the 2020 National League Comeback Player of the Year has a 3-3 record, a 1.91 ERA, 44 strikeouts,s and 22 saves. His 22 saves are good for seventh overall in all of baseball. In three years with the Rockies, he has made 127 appearances and has posted a 3.94 ERA with 151 strikeouts. Among National League pitchers, Bard currently ranks sixth in Added Win Probability.
Bard was pitching on a two-year deal worth $7.325 million this season. The extension is a salary jump of $11.675 million for the next two seasons. During the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Bard will earn around $9.5 million in his new contract.
The Rockies have mostly stood silent during the trade deadline, opting to keep their roster intact. The non-activity of the Rockies is backed by owner Dick Monfort and general manager Bill Schmidt. Both are adamant that the team has the makings of a winning ball club. The re-signing of Bard points to the approach of keeping the status quo for the Rockies franchise. The Rockies sit in last place alongside the Diamondbacks in the National League West juggernaut.
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