A’s to sign Balfour, pending physical
The A’s and right-handed reliever Grant Balfour have agreed on a two-year deal, pending a physical, according to a Major League source.
The 33-year-old Balfour, an Australian native, posted a 2.28 ERA and 1.08 WHIP while averaging 9.1 strikeouts and 2.8 walks per nine innings over 55 1/3 frames for the Rays last year.
Balfour is classified as a Type A free agent, so Oakland — whose first-round pick is protected — will have to hand over a second-round pick to the Rays.
His presence represents a continuing offseason attempt by the A’s to bolster the depth of their bullpen, whose injury woes down the stretch last season proved costly. Andrew Bailey, Jerry Blevins and Michael Wuertz were all sidelined for an extended time during that period.
Jane Lee
You guys are going to love the fan friendly Aussie.
I am sad to see him leave the Rays fold, but knowing he is going to a pitcher-friendly squad is a great relief.
Going to miss thew daily chats with Grant down by the Rays Bullpen, but I can visit him for 3 days when the A’s hit Tropicana Field.
Going to be weird seeing him in the A’s colors the first time, but that is the way baseball some times rolls….Change is always in the doorway.
Rays Renegade
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