The Orioles and free agent reliever Grant Balfour had apparently agreed on a two-year $15 million deal earlier in the week. All that remained was Balfour passing a physical and the “i’s” would be dotted and the “t’s” would be crossed. However something during Balfour’s physical apparently gave the Orioles cause for concern as they have backed out of the deal.
Exactly, what the Orioles found that soured them on the deal remains unclear, with Orioles general manager Dan Duquette merely releasing a short statement that the team was no longer pursuing Balfour as an option in free agency.
This has angered Balfour who has said he is considering filing a grievance on the issue. Balfour’s agent, Seth Levinson of ACES, responded to the situation in a press release.
“Grant is completely healthy and that was told to us today by Dr. Koco Eaton, a well-respected club physician (with the Tampa Bay Rays). Dr. Eaton’s opinion is based upon the fact that the MRI which was taken today is the same as the MRI which was taken in 2011 as a condition of the three-year contract that Grant signed with the A’s. Dr. Tim Kremchek (Cincinnati Reds), another well-respected club physician, reviewed the Orioles’ medical report and advised that he is remarkably impressed that there has been little change in Grant’s arm for almost 10 years. Now factor into the equation that Grant was a 2013 All-Star, pitched 65 games and another 3 scoreless innings in the postseason with a 94-95 mph fastball. The only reasonable conclusion is that Grant is healthy and the Orioles at the last moment changed their minds.”
At this point rumours seem to indicate that the Orioles are considering free agent Fernando Rodney to fill their vacant closer’s role, while the Tampa Bay Rays are apparently interested in Balfour.
Still this situation is an interesting development, and it will be interesting to see if Balfour attempts to file a grievance to recoup the money the Orioles had promised him pending that physical, and what results the Orioles will point to as a reason for cancelling the deal.
Balfour underwent labrum and rotator cuff surgery in 2005 but has been fully healthy since 2008 and has not had any re-occuring injury issues or shoulder problems.
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