Daniel Descalso signs with Colorado Rockies

Daniel Descalso was non-tendered by the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this month, which led to today’s announcement by the Colorado Rockies that they’ve signed the scrappy infielder to a two-year contract worth $3.6 million.

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According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post Dispatch:

"Descalso finalized a two-year contract with the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, the team announced. The deal is worth $3.6 million, according to several reports included ESPN.com and The Denver Post. The contract pays Descalso $1.5 million for 2015 — and that’s about the salary he likely would have received through arbitration with the Cardinals.The Cardinals did not offer Descalso, 28, a contract for 2015."

Brian Stull with STLBaseballWeekly.com adds this about Descalso’s stay with the St. Louis Cardinals, “Drafted by St. Louis in 2007, Descalso appeared in 529 games over the last five seasons for the Cardinals–batting .243 with 10 HRs and 111 RBIs. He played five positions: third base, shortstop, second base, first base, and pitcher.”

And Goold added, “He finished second in the voting for a Gold Glove Award at third base when he started 61 games there in place of an injured David Freese during the 2011 season. Descalso also proved a capable backup at shortstop. He hit .242 with a .333 on-base percentage and a .311 slugging percentage in 161 at-bats this season spread over 104 games. Overall, he hit .243 in five seasons with the Cardinals.”

Descalso was a fun player to watch for the Cardinals. He had some pretty great late inning and postseason moments. Stints of greatness don’t win you long term contracts with the team that drafts you though. Dirty Dan is a player I wish success … just not against the Cardinals!

FYI: Descalso is the fourth St. Louis Cardinals free agent to sign this offseason. Pat Neshek received a contract with Houston, Justin Masterson with Boston, and Jason Motte with the Chicago Cubs. Shane Robinson signed a minor league deal with Minnesota after being released by the Cardinals. The deal included an invite to Spring Training with the Twins.