The Rangers acquired veteran righty Jason Grilli and cash considerations from the Blue Jays in exchange for minor league outfielder Eduard Pinto, according to a Rangers media release. In corresponding moves, right-hander Preston Claiborne was designated for assignment, righty Tanner Scheppers was optioned to Triple-A and right-hander Tony Barnette was activated from the disabled list.
All of these moves will address a Texas bullpen that ranks near the bottom of the league in most categories, and is particularly in flux after the demotion of closer Matt Bush. It may be unlikely to expect Grilli to factor into the Rangers’ closer-by-committee situation given the veteran’s rough start to the 2017 season. The 40-year-old has a 6.97 ERA over 20 2/3 IP, and despite some decent peripherals (10.02 K/9, 2.56 K/BB rate), Grilli has simply been unable to keep the ball in the park, surrendering a whopping nine home runs in his brief time on the mound this year.
It’s worth noting that Grilli also pitched poorly at the beginning of the 2016 season, though he improved greatly after being dealt to the Blue Jays in May 2016 and was a key cog in Toronto’s run to the postseason. The Rangers are obviously hoping for a similar uptick in performance from a change in scenery for Grilli, who is making his second stint in the organization (he pitched in 30 games for Texas in 2009).
Grilli was still owed roughly $1.4MM for the rest of 2017, so the money Toronto is sending along in the deal likely makes up a good chunk of that remaining salary. In exchange, the Jays add a 22-year-old outfielder in Pinto who has a .309/.367/.390 slash line over 1683 career PA in six pro seasons. Pinto played 22 games at Double-A last season, his highest level achieved, and this year has a .311/.358/.446 slash line over 191 PA at high A-ball.
Claiborne had his contract purchased by the Rangers two weeks ago and he appeared in one game for the team, which marked Claiborne’s first taste of MLB action since 2014. The right-hander missed all of 2015 due to a shoulder injury and spent 2016 pitching in the Giants’ minor league system.
Jon is getting desperate!
Good to see Jason Grilli staying in the bigs. He is a quality guy. I hope he finds success with the Rangers. Has Father Time caught up with him?
I hope so too. Unfortunately , I believe Father Time has caught up. He couldn’t pitch back to back nights. Good luck Grilli. Enjoyed you as a Jay.
He’s up there with Andres Torres in the all time baseball good guys. Wish him very well in Texas.
There are a lotta miles on that arm. I’m surprised Nats didn’t make a play for him. They’re collecting closers who are years beyond their prime.
This is not what I was hoping for in our search for a bullpen arm
ex bucco still playing! good luck grilled cheese!!!
Good luck, Jason! You’ve been one of my favourite Jays of the past few years. The team probably wouldn’t have made the playoffs again last year without you.
I can see why Pinto was expendable. Pending minor league free agent. Good bat but power is lacking making him marginal for the 40 man roster.
Yikes another JD trade of young players who don’t seem to ever develop in the Rangers system for major leaguers way past their prime. Garza for Edwards/Grimm, Harrell for Demeritte, Beltran for Tate, Dempster for Hendricks, etc…..
But beltran is still producing?
Not really considering he is hitting 150 points below his career 841 OPS and getting $16MM……The real pain for Rangers fans was that Dillon Tate was taken 3 spots ahead of Benintendi in the 2015 MLB draft.
Good Luck Grilli! Sad when I heard that the Jays let him go but glad to hear that he’s staying in the majors. Hope to see him closing out games for Texas!
Along with the BoSox, I thought, no, knew the Rangers were the team to beat in the AL. What is happening with all these player’s injuries?