Headlines

  • Out Of Options 2021
  • Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension
  • Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal
  • Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement
  • Braves Extend Brian Snitker
  • Yankees Sign Justin Wilson
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Three Teams Have Two-Year Offers To Balfour

By Zach Links | December 12, 2013 at 4:56pm CDT

4:56pm: The Orioles aren't the team that has offered Balfour a vesting option, tweets Encina.

3:40pm: Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles are one of three teams that has made a two-year offer to Balfour. One team's offer contains a vesting option for a third season, he adds. Connolly isn't sure which team has offered the vesting option, but he gets the sense that it's not the Orioles (Twitter links).

1:45pm: The O's prefer Balfour on a two-year deal, and one other club is still in the mix at this time, tweets Heyman.

12:56pm: Years are the main sticking point in negotiations with Balfour, tweets Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun.

THURSDAY, 11:54am: The Orioles are confident that they can sign Balfour, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

WEDNESDAY: The Orioles have an offer out to reliever Grant Balfour and others as they try to fill four holes in their lineup, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  The O's also have an offer out to John Axford, a source tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).  Heyman also notes that Baltimore has talked to Nelson Cruz's agent, but a source tells Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter) that the club hasn't made an offer to him.

Heyman writes that the O's are also in on an unnamed starting pitcher.  Baltimore also has to address holes at closer, left field, and at DH.  Balfour is their top choice to replace Jim Johnson as a closer with Axford and Chris Perez believed to be secondary options.

Share 4 Retweet 59 Send via email0

Baltimore Orioles Grant Balfour John Axford Nelson Cruz

Minor Moves: Andrew Werner, Manny Pina
Main
Padres, Indians Competing For Joaquin Benoit
59 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. Lau10

    7 years ago

    As a fan of another AL East team, I would be in favour of the Orioles signing Nelson Cruz to a 4/$60m contract.

    Like
    Reply
    • Mitch Augustyn

      7 years ago

      The extra “U” gave you away…ehhhh

      Like
      Reply
      • Lau10

        7 years ago

        Haha yes! I am in fact Canadian.

        Like
        Reply
        • Mitch Augustyn

          7 years ago

          Its cold; got any poutine?

          Like
          Reply
          • Lau10

            7 years ago

            Ha! I wish I could have some poutine right now. I got my wisdom teeth taken out yesterday, and I basically can’t eat anything :(

            Like
            Reply
            • OhthePossibilities

              7 years ago

              You can eat anything if you let it get soggy enough.

              Like
              Reply
      • Daniel

        7 years ago

        Haha

        Like
        Reply
  2. JacobyWanKenobi

    7 years ago

    The Orioles want to spend money… Voluntarily!?

    Like
    Reply
  3. Benjamin Rush

    7 years ago

    Knowing DD, they are probably $1M, 1 year offers. At least we’re being considered!

    Like
    Reply
  4. KJ4realz

    7 years ago

    Os. Why would’ve you have offered Grandy that deal instead?

    Like
    Reply
  5. Jeff McMillan

    7 years ago

    Giving up #17 draft picks is something the Orioles REALLY can not afford.

    Like
    Reply
    • letsgogiants

      7 years ago

      I didn’t realize that spot carried multiple draft picks. No wonder they can’t afford to lose it.

      Like
      Reply
  6. Harrison

    7 years ago

    Please God, no. Not Cruz. Not for that money, and not for a pick. Quick! Someone give DD a Breath-a-lizer! I don’t think the contract offer counts if one of the involved parties is intoxicated…

    Like
    Reply
    • Cereal

      7 years ago

      Don’t worry Duq won’t be able to get Angelos on the phone to approve anything.

      Like
      Reply
  7. Wordflyer

    7 years ago

    Ugh. Why do I even bother?

    Like
    Reply
  8. Tom

    7 years ago

    If the O’s are gonna give up a pick, why not Morales instead? Younger, no steroid implications, hasn’t had his numbers inflated by playing in a hitters park.

    Like
    Reply
    • Harrison

      7 years ago

      If the O’s are going to give up the pick, they might as well go after Choo(spoiler alert: they won’t). Cruz and Morales just aren’t very good baseball players. I’m pretty confident that a Jason Kubel/Danny Valencia platoon could put up better numbers than Morales next year and wouldn’t cost a pick. The Orioles should go after Justin Smoak now that Seattle has signed Hart and traded for Morrison. He would be a perfect platoon buddy for Valencia and he still has the potential to get better.

      Like
      Reply
      • Cereal

        7 years ago

        Kubel strikes out almost 50% of the time, he’ll be out of baseball within two years.

        Like
        Reply
    • Cereal

      7 years ago

      Nobody seems to be showing interest in him, strange??

      Like
      Reply
  9. snowbladerp14

    7 years ago

    need a left handed left fielder who plays solid defense. So naturally we will go after a right handed right fielder who plays poor defense.

    Like
    Reply
    • Hanley

      7 years ago

      Carl Crawford ?

      Like
      Reply
    • National_Anthem

      7 years ago

      Delmon Young?

      Like
      Reply
  10. Lefty_Orioles_Fan

    7 years ago

    Why didn’t the O’s go for Granderson? Would have rather had him. Although, maybe he didn’t want to leave NY?
    At least we are doing something.
    Just not digging Cruz though.

    Like
    Reply
  11. $3534462

    7 years ago

    I’d rather see us spend that kind of money on a starting pitcher than someone who’s sole value is hitting home runs in a lineup who’s sole value is hitting home runs.

    Like
    Reply
  12. Mark Heidelberg

    7 years ago

    Pleaseeeeeeeee not John Axford!!

    Like
    Reply
  13. livestrong77nyyankz

    7 years ago

    Why would anyone give Cruz that type of contract

    Like
    Reply
    • Cereal

      7 years ago

      There is a very good chance that the O’s don’t know what they are doing.

      Like
      Reply
  14. livestrong77nyyankz

    7 years ago

    Why would anyone give Cruz that type of contract

    Like
    Reply
  15. not_brooks

    7 years ago

    The Orioles win 93 games in 2012, and then do nothing of significance in the 2012-2013 offseason.

    The Orioles win 86 games in 2013, dump their closer to save money, then offer a contract to another expensive closer. Duquette says he’s looking for a left-handed left fielder who plays solid D, and he offers a contract to a right-handed left fielder who shouldn’t even be allowed in the outfield.

    What in the world is going on in the Warehouse?

    Like
    Reply
    • Cereal

      7 years ago

      Peter Angelos recently put offices for himself & his son in the warehouse.

      Like
      Reply
  16. not_brooks

    7 years ago

    The Orioles win 93 games in 2012, and then do nothing of significance in the 2012-2013 offseason.

    The Orioles win 86 games in 2013, dump their closer to save money, then offer a contract to another expensive closer. Duquette says he’s looking for a left-handed left fielder who plays solid D, and he offers a contract to a right-handed left fielder who shouldn’t even be allowed in the outfield.

    What in the world is going on in the Warehouse?

    Like
    Reply
  17. Honey Badger GM

    7 years ago

    I can honestly say that I wouldn’t take Cruz for free. He cost a draft pick, wants $15 million a year, plays poor defense, has PED baggage, no speed, is in his mid 30s, hits right handed when we need a lefty bat, and he has a “meh” AVG and OBP.

    Like
    Reply
    • not_brooks

      7 years ago

      He offers literally nothing that the Orioles need.

      Which is leading me to believe it’s a bogus rumor.

      Like
      Reply
      • Honey Badger GM

        7 years ago

        It seems like Heyman has tweeted that the O’s have interest in just about every player this offseason. The thing that scares me though is that we are apparently willing to offer 4/60 or a “little more”. I really hope that was just put out there by Katz (his agent) to try and get a little more money for his client. Like you said, I am praying and hoping that this report, as well as the one about Chad Gaudin, was bogus.

        Like
        Reply
    • JohnnyM

      7 years ago

      What does him wanting 15 mil per year have to do with you not wanting him for free?

      Like
      Reply
  18. snowbladerp14

    7 years ago

    He is a 33 year old power hitter ( probably because of the roids) who plays terrible defense will cost 15 million a year and cost a draft pick and doesnt get on base all that much

    Like
    Reply
  19. Bill Smith

    7 years ago

    Conflicting information out the wazoo.

    Like
    Reply
    • OhthePossibilities

      7 years ago

      Wazoo just got 5 years/$75MM.

      Like
      Reply
  20. snowbladerp14

    7 years ago

    I dont mind rumors that say the orioles are interest in or the orioles are talking to and so on but you should have some real information if you are going to say a contract has been offered

    Like
    Reply
  21. ruxpin

    7 years ago

    giving 15 per to a 33 year old and losing a pick in the process is the opposite of what the orioles should do….opposite dan…opposite

    Like
    Reply
  22. snowbladerp14

    7 years ago

    signing balfour just puts us back to where we were before trading Johnson it does not improve our team at all

    Like
    Reply
    • Cereal

      7 years ago

      Back to where we were? Perhaps, but some would consider it to be a downgrade at closer. Didn’t Balfour blow just as many saves as Johnson in less opportunities?

      Like
      Reply
      • snowbladerp14

        7 years ago

        JJ was 50/59 and Balfour was 38/41

        Like
        Reply
        • Cereal

          7 years ago

          That’s pretty good

          Like
          Reply
  23. WhoKilledTheRallyMonkey

    7 years ago

    Personally, Id give Balfour a 2 year deal or a 3 year deal with a Lackey clause (1 extra year at league minimum if he has a significant arm injury). Nathan, Rivera and others have shown closers can make good comebacks from injury at an old age.

    Like
    Reply
    • Spencer James

      7 years ago

      Mo could’ve had a 2.50 ERA, 1.5 Whip with a 1.5K/9 line from on a wheelchair or crutches if he wanted to in 2012.

      Like
      Reply
  24. Alex Knight

    7 years ago

    I bet that the other team in the mix are the Yankees, could they be the mystery team?

    Like
    Reply
  25. Nathan Walter

    7 years ago

    Balfour to the Orioles is a great idea… that way they can claim he’s yelling for coach Buck instead of something else…

    Like
    Reply
  26. Spencer James

    7 years ago

    The good Ol’ Mystery team is in the mix. I’d figure they’re offering 3/$27MM to him.

    Like
    Reply
    • Nathan Walter

      7 years ago

      That seems too low. Brian Wilson and Joe Nathan each made $10mil, I can’t imagine Balfour will go for any less.

      Like
      Reply
      • Damon Bowman

        7 years ago

        Too many closers on the market for him to make that kind of demand. He missed his chance by waiting to sign. His agent should have sized up the market right before the signing period began and realized that waiting was going to cost money no matter who was offering. If it turns out Balfour can’t get anything north of $8 mil per for a multi-year deal, he’d probably be best suited to taking a one-year deal since the arms slated for free agency after 2014 is much lighter than this batch that just hit the market.

        Like
        Reply
  27. RC23

    7 years ago

    Yankees, O’s, and Indians. Yankees have the 3 year offer.

    Like
    Reply
  28. Lefty_Orioles_Fan

    7 years ago

    I wish I knew how to feel about all this.
    However, what I can say/type: This is getting very,very, annoying!

    Like
    Reply
  29. Phishfan52

    7 years ago

    “Baltimore also has to address holes at closer, left field, and at DH.” This line just made me laugh. You would think they would have already addressed a couple of those needs. But this is the Baltimore Orioles you have to be a retread coming off a really bad season for us to be interested or willing to play for a much cheaper price. The Orioles are a joke because of their owner.

    Like
    Reply
  30. OrioleMark

    7 years ago

    O’s, Indians, Rockies/Cubs/Yankees

    Like
    Reply
  31. OrioleMark

    7 years ago

    O’s, Indians, Rockies/Cubs/Yankees

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Out Of Options 2021

    Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Braves Sign Jake Lamb

    Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland

    Yankees Re-Sign Brett Gardner

    Giants To Sign Jake McGee

    Recent

    Out Of Options 2021

    Padres Notes: Castillo, Lamet

    Giants, Jose Alvarez Nearing Deal

    Latest On Yoenis Cespedes

    Royals To Sign Jarrod Dyson

    Start Of Triple-A Season Delayed

    Kole Calhoun To Undergo Knee Surgery

    Several Players Awaiting Clarity On Minor League Option Status

    Additional Details On Allegations Against Mickey Callaway Emerge

    MLBTR Chat Transcript

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version