The Colorado Rockies announced that the team has agreed to a one-year contract extension with left-handed relief pitcher Chris Rusin and will avoid arbitration. According to Thomas Harding, the deal is worth $1,687,500.

In four seasons with the Rockies, Rusin has a 4.43 ERA over 355.2 innings and generally has been a consistent option. In 2017, Rusin went 5-1 and had a 2.65 ERA in 85 innings pitched. The veteran relief pitcher is coming off a down year though.

Rusin struggled mightily with his pitch location and finished the 2018 season with a 6.09 ERA. The Detroit, MI. native also had his his lowest strikeout total (47) in any season in which he tossed at least 30 innings since breaking into the big leagues in 2012.

If Rusin can return to his 2016-17 form, the deal will be a steal for the Rockies. Having a reliable bullpen has been a big reason why the Rockies have been able to return to the postseason in each of the previous two seasons, but the team may lose Adam Ottavino through free agency. If Colorado does end up losing its best reliever this offseason, having a bounce-back year will be that much more important for Rusin.