The rumored deal between the Baltimore Orioles and pitcher Grant Balfour has been agreed to.
Balfour has signed a two-year deal to become the closer of the Baltimore Orioles. The two-year deal will pay Balfour $14 million.
In essence the Orioles simply traded closers with the Oakland Athletics. Earlier this winter the Orioles sent Jim Johnson to the A’s for Jemile Weeks. The Orioles signed Ryan Webb to a two-year deal worth $4.5 million shortly thereafter.
Balfour deal with #orioles: 2 years, $14 million with $500,000 deferred each year. Per source.
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) December 17, 2013
Balfour apparently had a few other offers on the table but is choosing the Orioles offer.
The 35-year-old Balfour is coming off a season in which he saved 38 games and posted a 2.59 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.