Earlier today the Orioles backed out of two-year, $15 million deal with closer Grant Balfour, citing concerns about Balfour’s shoulder. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle spoke with Balfour today, and he says he’s 100%:
Balfour stopped short of criticizing the Orioles, saying that they must’ve just chosen to go in a different direction. Of course that’s just diplomacy in action. Balfour is likely pretty angry because any other team that signs him now is going to offer way less money in light of the Orioles’ misgivings. He’s now been thrust into make-good land.
Balfour tells me his MRIs, incl R shoulder, are the exact same as they were three years ago. “I’m the All-Star pitcher I was last season.”
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) December 20, 2013
More Balfour: “My shoulder is fine, everything is fine. I’m ready to come out there in the ninth inning, do what I do.” #Athletics #Orioles
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) December 20, 2013
Balfour stopped short of criticizing the Orioles, saying that they must’ve just chosen to go in a different direction. Of course that’s just diplomacy in action. Balfour is likely pretty angry because any other team that signs him now is going to offer way less money in light of the Orioles’ misgivings. He’s now been thrust into make-good land.
