Rocio Robles
Just hours ago, the agreement between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the reliever was confirmed. Dellin Betances has agreed to a Minor League contract for the 2022 MLB season, with the possibility of upgrading to a Major League contract if he secures a roster spot in the final roster of the Dodgers at some part of the season. This is one more shot for the 34-year-old veteran to get his career back on track after the worst run of his career with the New York Mets.
Betances left the New York Yankees after suffering several injuries to his shoulder and Achilles tendon in 2019, becoming a free agent and agreeing to a two-year contract with the Mets. In both years he would pitch only in a total of 16 games, accumulating an ERA of 7.82, WHIP of 1.97, 13 walks, 12 strikeouts and 11 runs allowed through 12.2 innings pitched. After making an unsuccessful comeback in 2020, during 2021 Betances would suffer physical complications in his shoulder again that led him to the operating room and his season finished after only one game played.
Dellin’s contract figures will amount to a $2,750,000 million salary if he meets the condition imposed: securing a spot on the Los Angeles Major League roster. He would also have $500,000 more in incentives that were not mentioned in the details.
During 2014 and 2018 he was one of the most dominant relievers in all of MLB, averaging a 2.22 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 2.26 FIP, 607 strikeouts and 36 saves through 373.1 innings pitched, also earning four All-Star Game selections. Unfortunately his injuries have not allowed him to be who he was five years ago, even affecting his pitching speed to a great extent: from averaging 96 to 97 miles per hour in his straight line, to only reaching 91 miles per hour with the Mets.
For the Dave Roberts-led team, it’s an opportunity to revive the career of one of the most dominant relievers in recent years. The Dodgers have been proficient in resurrecting careers so far. We will have to see if the experiment with Dellin Betances works as well as it has with other relievers.
