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Betancourt's deal worth $5.4 million for two years
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Jan 24, 2008
CLEVELAND: Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro kept the streak going Wednesday by signing setup man Rafael Betancourt to a two-year guaranteed contract with a club option for 2010.
With Betancourt in the fold, the Tribe is one player away from going 17 years without being forced into an arbitration hearing. The deed still is not done. Third baseman Casey Blake filed for arbitration, asking for a salary of $6.9 million, $1.5 million more than the team offered. Last year, Blake made $3.75 million.
''Chris (assistant GM Chris Antonetti) continues to have meaningful conversations,'' Shapiro said of ongoing negotiations with Blake's agent. ''We're hopeful of getting something done. If we don't, we're comfortable with the arbitration process.''
Betancourt arguably was the most dominating reliever in the American League in 2007, posting a 5-1 record with three saves and a minuscule 1.47 ERA, second lowest for a reliever in the big leagues. His batting average against was a sparkling .183.
''Rafael's core strengths have always been the same,'' Shapiro said. ''He has the ability to throw strikes, and he makes the hitters beat him.''
In describing his impact on last year's Central Division champions, Shapiro said: ''He had one of the most exceptional seasons in the bullpen. . . . he was one of the biggest contributors on the entire team.''
Reportedly, Betancourt will be paid $2.05 million this year
and $3.35 million in 2009. The option season will be worth $5 million, and there are various bonuses.
For example, if for one reason or another Betancourt is pressed into service as a closer, he will receive extra compensation, probably for games finished.
''He's protected in his contract for that,'' Shapiro said.
Betancourt submitted an arbitration figure of $2.5 million; the Indians countered with an offer of $1.75 million.
''This is one of the top moments of my life, especially for my family,'' Betancourt said. ''Now, I know I will be here for two years, and maybe three.''
In 55 of Betancourt's 68 appearances, he did not allow a run, and in the other 13, he permitted only one.
''My goal last year was just to stay healthy,'' Betancourt said. ''If I was healthy, I knew I could help the team win.''
Betancourt began his career with the Boston Red Sox as a shortstop and was out of baseball the year before he signed a minor-league contract with Indians.
''It's just a great story because he came out of nowhere,'' Shapiro said.
Betancourt was a virtual unknown reliever when he entered the Tribe's farm system in 2003. He made his first Indians appearance in an exhibition game at Winter Haven, Fla., after a power outage that stopped a game against the Montreal Expos at Chain O' Lakes Park.
When the lights came back on, Betancourt was summoned from the minor-league complex and, Shapiro said, scouts in the grandstand began searching their data sources, trying to figure out who Betancourt was and where he came from.
At 32, does Betancourt aspire to be a closer?
''I feel good doing what I'm doing,'' he said. ''When I come into a game, I tell myself I'm closing.''
Shapiro has no plans to alter Betancourt's career path; the Tribe already has a closer in Joe Borowski.
''You never know if a guy can be a closer until he tries to do it,'' Shapiro said.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
CLEVELAND: Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro kept the streak going Wednesday by signing setup man Rafael Betancourt to a two-year guaranteed contract with a club option for 2010.
Get the full article here.
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