DENVER — The Rockies have declined a $5 million option on right-hander Rafael Betancourt, a key setup man as the Rockies won the NL wild-card race.

Betancourt can now become a free agent. Colorado general manager Dan O’Dowd says the team will continue to negotiate with the reliever.
Betancourt went 4-3 with a 2.73 ERA in 61 games while splitting time with Cleveland and Colorado last season. He had 61 strikeouts to go with 20 walks and held opponents to a .209 batting average.
The Rockies acquired Betancourt on July 23, and he went 3-1 with a 1.79 ERA in 32 appearances for Colorado. He allowed one run in 2 1-3 innings against Philadelphia in the playoffs.