clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Rockies sign relievers Jason Motte, Chad Qualls to two-year contracts

The Colorado Rockies made their first moves of the Winter Meetings on Tuesday in an attempt to improve their much-maligned bullpen.

By Bobby DeMuro
Chad Qualls will help in the Rockies' bullpen for the next two years.
Chad Qualls will help in the Rockies' bullpen for the next two years.
Ed Zurga/Getty Images

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.

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.

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.

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:

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:

With the additions this morning, the Rockies now have 39 players on their 40-man roster as the Winter Meetings continue Tuesday.

More From Purple Row