2011 Rockies Player Review: Matt Belisle

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jan 6, 2012 5:16 PM MST in Rockies Player Reviews

Matt Belisle was a fine story in 2010. He overcame years of ineptitude (career ERA over 5.00) and disappointment to be one of the best relievers in baseball. He was the final omission from Dave Cameron's All-Star team. He really forced people to write about him.

That was all well and good. But after 92 IP and a 2.92 ERA, everyone dumped on him. Both of those numbers were great in 2010, but it could only mean bad things for 2011. Overwork would make him fall apart and disappoint. In fact, more people tabbed Belisle as their most expected disappointing player in 2011 than any other player here at Purple Row.

Now, Matt Belisle was not as effective in 2011 as 2010. He did indeed regress some, striking out fewer, walking more and allowing hits at a greater rate than his breakout season. None of that is surprising. But Belisle proved to be a bull, maintiaing a high level of excellence on the mound.

His ERA shot up.... to 3.25. His FIP skyrocketed...to 3.07. His WAR dipped by 1.0 fWAR to 1.3 (by 0.7 rWAR to 1.2), but much of that is simply attributed to the men he shared the bullpen with. Last season saw new additions Matt Reynolds, Rex Brothers and Matt Lindstrom all pitch very effectively, lessening the burden on Belisle. To wit: his innings dropped by 20.

Frankly, Belisle was far from disappointing. He missed a bats a few less times, but the regression and/or overwork demons just never materialized. He was Matt Belisle v 2010 minus a few features, and that's still a valuable pitcher.

	W-L	G	fWAR	rWAR	K/9	BB/9	HR/9	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Belisle	10.4	74	1.3	1.2	6.81	1.70	0.85	72	77	34	30	5	14	58	3.25	1.26

Grade: B

Belisle was not in the upper echelon of relievers, but he remained effective. Plus, he was second on the team in wins with ten. That has to count for something, right? Right.

2012

The Rockies signed Belisle to a two-year $6.125 million contract on February 19, 2011. He has a guaranteed spot in the bullpen and a cush $3.775mil salary in 2012, which would equal roughly 40% of his career earnings in one year. He will then be a free agent the following off-season along with Rafael Betancourt and Matt Lindstrom.

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May not be the best year for Belisle to be heading into free agency

Given that his arm might fall completely off by August 1st.

by Northsider1964 on Jan 6, 2012 6:35 PM MST reply actions

I think I read that exact same comment 365 days ago :)

he stronglikebull

"Some guy on the net thinks I suck, and he should know - he's got his own blog." - Nick Hornby
"Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est"
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jan 6, 2012 8:48 PM MST via Android app up reply actions

I read that even longer ago

about Tim LIncecum

"There have been only two geniuses in the world. Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare." ~Tallulah Bankhead
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." ~Greg, age 8
JFK

by jrockies on Jan 6, 2012 10:16 PM MST up reply actions

Not questioning Belisle's durability at all

But he’s the medium-to-long man on a team whose GM thinks the three steps to a better starting rotation are: wishing, hoping and dumpster diving. That’s taken its toll on the bullpen the past two years, and 2012 promises more of the same.

by Northsider1964 on Jan 6, 2012 10:48 PM MST up reply actions

i would disagree

we project to have full seasons of brothers and roenicke in the pen, as well as rogers, escalona, hammel, slowey all possibilities as well.

arenado: it's Rockie for future

PRMLB Arizona Diamondbacks GM

by papality on Jan 6, 2012 10:53 PM MST up reply actions

Oh the pen is in fine shape

But they cannot hold up if they’re picking up the second half of the game 5 nights a week. I’ve advocated carrying an extra reliever on the roster, which would help some. But the only real solution is an established innings-eating starter – which O’Dowd gave a lot of lip service to in October and November, then came up empty.

by Northsider1964 on Jan 6, 2012 11:07 PM MST up reply actions