Chacín back with Rockies on 1-year deal

DENVER -- The Rockies have reached an agreement with righty reliever Jhoulys Chacín to return on a one-year big league contract, the team announced Saturday. The deal is for $1.25 million, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

Chacín, who turns 34 on Jan. 7, broke in with the Rockies in 2009 and was a starter through '14, then pitched for six other clubs before returning on a one-year contract on the eve of Opening Day '21. Used as a versatile bullpen piece, Chacín went 3-2 with a 4.34 ERA in 46 appearances -- at first in long relief, including one spot start, then becoming a dependable seventh- and eighth-inning reliever for manager Bud Black.

“He did a great job,” general manager Bill Schmidt said during this week’s General Managers Meetings in Carlsbad, Calif., when asked if the Rockies were interested in re-signing Chacín. “He became like the godfather to a lot of players.

“Early in the year, he was the long guy. [His statistics] took on some water. Buddy ended up using him late. There was no intent from when we brought him in that we’d be using him late, and he did a good job. If we’re a real good club [in 2022], he’s pitching that long role. But I think he has the ability to help us any way. We need him to.”