The Rockies signed lefty reliever Joe Beimel to a minor league deal, reports Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the deal pays an $850K base salary in the Majors with $300K in incentives. Beimel believes he can be ready for the season, though he's likely to start the year in the minors. He was signed to step into the lefty reliever spot left vacant by Franklin Morales, who will fill in for injured closer Huston Street.
Last year Beimel signed on March 18th, so he's comfortable waiting for the right deal. The southpaw, 33 in April, continued to pitch well against lefties aside from allowing four home runs in 26 innings. It seems those home runs cost Beimel, as he got a guaranteed $2MM deal coming off an otherwise similar '08 season. Beimel has seen significant time against righties the last few years, and the results have not been pretty.
Beimel, at this point in the season where they prioritize their pitching depth, should sign with a competitive team on a minor league contract, with incentives and a club option if he makes the big leagues. Considering his outstanding track record, if he could showcase his skills that continues to dominate big league hitters in he minors, he would, sooner than later, make the big leagues, along with an expectation to win a championship as well. So, if he could periodically swallow his pride by signing a minor league contract with a competitive team, he could emerge as the arm the team needs to win it all, which will either secure his position in the team or increase his job offers next off-season, because other teams will have to take notice of his performance.
Good to learn that Joe Beimel will be back in baseball for 2010. I believe he has a lot to offer now that his injury last year has had a chance to heal.
Amaro should think about this…unless they are def. bringing up Bastardo (which I hope they do)…With Romero possibly out for a little and Bastardo a young LH, Beimel might be a good idea atleast for the time being.
Hey Joe, I thought you might enjoy this postcard from sunny Queens, where the fans are passionate, and the bullpen opportunities are good. Wish you were here….
Too little too late I think Infield Fly!
I was going to let add the delicious Shake Shack burgers and beautiful Citi Field, not to mention the fact that the Mets are heading in the right direction (eventually) but too little too late for this letter to Joe Biemel.
This is a great deal for the Rockies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe Biemel is one of Baseball’s most underrated middle relievers. Good deal for the Rockies
With Betancourt, Biemel, Morales, and an eventually healthy Huston Street from innings 7-9 is downright unhitable.
Drat! Next time I’m gonna spring for Fed Ex!
Call me crazy, but I believe the Rockies will win the N.L. West this year.
This is hardly a bold prediction. If anything, the Rox are the trendy pick to win the West.
I think so too. The Dodgers shouldn’t be much better than last year, the DBacks could improve but have too many question marks in the rotation (Webb’s health, Buckner, and Kennedy), and the Giants have a lineup of past their prime players and Panda.
The Rockies lineup is very deep, and their pitching should be the best it’s been in years. If Francis could put up a season like Marquis, which isn’t too much to ask, they should be fine.
Question for Rockies fans-is Morales supposed to be a starter in the future? Or do the Rockies see him as a big time closer in the future?
There has been a lot of talk amongst the Rox about what to do with Morales. He shined down the stretch last year in the bed and some wonder if he pitches a full yr of relieve this yr, will be able to become a solid starter. He does have command issues at time, which then lead to mental issues during games…so does have some work to do and some maturing to do but we will see in the next yr or so what the rockies decide to do with him.
Beimel took a minor league deal to play for a winner over a major league deal for more money with the Mets? Ouch! What does that say about the Mets?
Haha ive been saying they should do this all along.Flores is unreliable. The Rockies pen looks very solid.
Baseballfan0707 Franklin morales is better in the bullpen than the rotation in some peoples opinions but he did very well in the beginning of last year when he was in the rotation for a very brief stint. He is an interesting arm because re stuff he has to throw but I don’t know if he has the stamina to be a long term starter
Baseballfan0707 He could be either. He seems to have the mental make up to be a reliever over a starter. He seems to want to throw as hard as he can for a short period of time. Personally I think he has the stuff to be either if he wanted to be. Starters are always more valuable than relievers, but it comes down to what he wants.
Also the Rockies have a ton of good starting pitching prospects in the minors coming up, and many are going to get blocked. So the Rockies don’t really “need’ Morales as a starter.
As for Beimel..interesting he took the minor league deal to return to the Rockies. With Morales closing, that left only Flores as a lefty in the pen, and well, like dbacksfan5912 says he’s not “reliable” (which is putting it nicely)