*Photo from Philly Sports Network*
Suddenly with a hole to fill, the mile high team acted fast. The Colorado Rockies and LHP Brad Hand have agreed to a one year, $2 million contract, according to an announcement by the Rockies on Saturday.
Hand is guaranteed $2 million for 2023, with an extra $1 million in a bonus if he makes the opening day roster. There is also a team option for the 2024 season that is worth $7 million with a $500,000 buyout attached. If Hand is on the opening day roster and the option is declined, he'll make $3.5 million in 2023. He can max the deal out at $10 million over two years.
Rockies GM Bill Schmidt spoke highly of Hand, saying that "He’s a veteran left-handed reliever who’s had a lot of success in the league. With Lucas being out, he has the ability to pitch late in games."
Last season for Hand was spent with the Philadelphia Phillies, who captured the NL Pennant for the first time since 2009. Hand ended the season with a 2.80 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 3.93 FIP, throwing 45 innings and notching 5 saves in 55 appearances.
The Rockies needed another lefty arm in the bullpen with reliever Lucas Gilbreath expected to need Tommy John Surgery. With a little uncertainty among their current lefty relievers, Hand is expected to help solidify manager Bud Black's southpaw options out of the bullpen and give him another high leverage arm alongside likely closer Daniel Bard.
Hand has pitched for 7 different teams in his major league career that spans 12 seasons. In that time, he has a 3.62 ERA, 3.78 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP, appearing in 519 games while throwing 718 1/3 innings, picking up 131 saves since being shifted to the bullpen. Hand has a 7.88 ERA and 1.88 WHIP in 8 innings over 10 appearances in the postseason.
This offseason, the Rockies have added Brent Suter and Pierce Johnson to their bullpen. Hand joins Bard and Suter as likely high leverage options, with non roster invites Logan Allen, Ty Blach, and Fernando Abad also in the mix.
Comments
Post a Comment