The St. Louis Cardinals announced Tuesday evening that they have signed 34-year-old right-handed reliever Matt Belisle, who is an eleven year MLB veteran and spent the last six seasons with the Colorado Rockies, to a one-year contract.
St. Louis Cardinals sign free agent RHP Matt Belisle to a one-year contract. Belisle, an 11-year veteran, pitched w/Colorado from 2009-14.
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) December 2, 2014
The contract is worth $3.5 million in guaranteed money, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Rosenthal also reports that the contract has a bonus structure which maxes out at $4 million, and that Belisle can earn $150K for making fifty appearances, another $150K for the next ten appearances, and $200K if he reaches seventy appearances.
Belisle emerged for the Rockies as a reliable option back in 2010 and has posted a 3.75 ERA over the last five seasons for the team. He didn’t enjoy much success in the 2014 season, though, as he posted a 4.87 ERA with his worst strikeout and walk rates in years. The Cardinals are obviously hoping the veteran still has something left in the tank.
Feature image used under Creative Commons from Jon Konrath. Cropped from original. Creative Commons License.
