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The Colorado Rockies kicked off their moves at the Winter Meetings very early on Tuesday morning, announcing the signing of two major league relievers, Jason Motte and Chad Qualls, according to the team's official Twitter account. Both relievers were signed to two-year deals.
The #Rockies have agreed to terms on two-year contracts with free agent RHPs Jason Motte and Chad Qualls. pic.twitter.com/gqsAo43Clv
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) December 8, 2015
Motte, 33, pitched for the Chicago Cubs in 2015 after spending most of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-handed reliever went 8-1 with six saves and a 3.91 ERA in 57 games last season, logging 6.3 K/9 against just 2.0 BB/9 and only 0.7 HR/9.
For his career, Motte has appeared in 368 games, registering 60 saves and a 3.16 ERA (3.56 FIP) over 333⅓ innings pitched, with 8.7 K/9 against just 2.6 BB/9.
According to Ken Rosenthal, Motte will earn $10 million across his two-year pact with Colorado.
Motte deal with #Rockies: Two years, $10M, per source.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 8, 2015
Qualls, 37, pitched with the Houston Astros in 2015. The righty went 3-5 with four saves and a 4.38 ERA over 60 games in Houston, logging 8.4 K/9 against a minuscule 1.6 BB/9. He allowed six home runs in 49⅓ innings of work.
For his career, Qualls has appeared in 781 games for eight Major League franchises, logging 7.0 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, 0.9 HR/9, and a 3.80 ERA (3.74 FIP). With the Rockies, he will earn $12 million over the life of his two-year deal, according to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post.
Deals for #Rockies. Jason Motte 2 years for $ 10 million. Chad Qualls 2 for $12 million
— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) December 8, 2015
UPDATE, 8:48 a.m. MT: Saunders has now corrected himself on Qualls' contract figure, to the number initially reported by Ken Rosenthal. Qualls will make $6 million over two years with the Rockies:
CORRECTION: #Rockies deals: 2 years, $10MM for Motte. Qualls will make $6MM over 2 years.
— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) December 8, 2015
UPDATE, 10:25 a.m. MT: Here's how Qualls' contract breaks down over the next two years, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports:
Breakdown of Chad Qualls' two-year, $6M deal with the Rockies: $1M signing bonus, $1.75M salary in 2016, $3.25M in 2017.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 8, 2015
With the additions this morning, the Rockies now have 39 players on their 40-man roster as the Winter Meetings continue Tuesday.