After the debacle with the Orioles, closer Grant Balfour has found a new home … in the American League East. Yes, he has rejoined the Tampa Bay Rays as their ninth-inning guy.
From ESPN.com: Free-agent closer Grant Balfour reached agreement on a two-year, $12 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.
The Mets extended an identical offer to Balfour, a source told ESPNNewYork.com, but Balfour chose the Rays because he lives in the area.
Balfour, a 36-year-old Australia native, went 1-3 with a 2.59 ERA and 38 saves last season in Oakland and made the American League All-Star team. He pitched previously in Tampa Bay from 2007-10.
While it looks like the Rays are gunning for the top of the heap in American League East; meanwhile, the Orioles are still stuck in neutral and we as fans are waiting for their next move.
They need to do something – if anything – to improve their roster.
Right now, the Orioles are rumored to be looking at former Rays closer Fernando Rodney.
I can only imagine that Balfour will be looking forward to facing the Orioles as many times as he can in 2014.
Only time will tell if Baltimore made the right decision or not in passing over Balfour.
