The Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics pulled off a trade involving O's closer Jim Johnson earlier this offseason and now the two teams appear to be close to switching relievers entirely, as the Orioles have reportedly offered Grant Balfour a multi-year contract.
According to Hardball Talk, the Orioles and Balfour could be close to a deal, with MLB.com reporting that the O's have offered the closer a multi-year contract after dealing away Johnson and it could be in the high figures for a player at his position. Balfour was one of the best closers in baseball last season and over the past three years he has over 60 saves and a sub-3.00 ERA and while he will be 36-years-old, he has established himself as an excellent ninth inning man. Reports say that Balfour has multiple offers from teams in the two-year range and it remains to be seen whether or not the Orioles will close the deal.
The team dealt away Johnson to the Athletics and now are moving on to someone else and the O's are also looking for another bat. The Orioles reportedly are looking into Nelson Cruz and could bring him in on a free agent contract as well.
