Former Rays closer Grant Balfour has opted out of his minor league contract with the team and received his release, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports (Twitter links). It’s not yet clear whether Balfour will look to catch on with another club.
The veteran righty had re-signed with Tampa Bay after being released from his major league deal earlier in the season. He was already owed the remainder of a $7MM salary on the year, which will not change with the move. At most, the Rays could receive an offset of a prorated portion of the league minimum salary if Balfour spends time at the major league level with another team.
Balfour had a long run of success before returning to to the Rays before the 2014 season, but things have never clicked in his second stint with the club. Over 66 2/3 total MLB innings across the last two years, he has allowed an even five earned runs per nine with 7.7 K/9 against 6.1 BB/9. Plummeting average fastball readings surely played a significant role, as Balfour dropped below 90 mph for the first time in his career this season.
Since re-joining the organization, Balfour sported a quality 2.79 ERA over 9 2/3 innings at Triple-A Durham. Even better, he’s done so by generating 11 strikeouts against just four walks. While those numbers obviously show much more promise than his work at the big league level, Topkin says it was clear that he was not likely to receive another shot at the team’s MLB pen.
Dan Duquette was right to void his O’s contract offer based on his medical report. Truth can be a pesky thing.
That’s a very interesting observation
Have you watched many O’s games this year?
How is OUR bullpen doing?
Plus despite losing Maddon and Smyly and all the Rays struggles they are still in 1st place
If you want to talk ‘pesky’ talk ‘pesky!’
Well, he is a free agent now.. So, the O’s can re-sign him.. He can still save your bullpen..
Bullpen is fine. I see at least parts of most of the games. Pitching is not the issue at all with this team. Its hitting (getting on base, specifically).
Considering he pitched in 65 games for Tampa I’d say no he was incorrect.
He pitched poorly. Not incorrect at all.
cubs might kick the tires??
They already have by releasing coke
Seattle calling in 3…2…1…
Now he’s available to replace Phil Coke in Chitown.
He’s lost his aussie mojo, he used to be one of the best rays relief pitchers.