The Atlanta Braves have come to terms on a two-year deal with veteran relief pitcher Jason Grilli as teams start piecing together their rosters for the 2015 MLB season.
If there is one section of the MLB market where teams can find value, it is relief pitching. There are numerous options to build a bullpen relatively cheap, at least as compared to the rest of a big league roster.
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One factor that contributes to that reality is the fact that there are a number of back-end bullpen guys who have been aging well. There are guys who pitching into their late 30’s and even close to their age-40 season while remaining effective.
Jason Grilli is just one such reliever, especially after he turned around a rough 2014 season upon being traded to the Los Angeles Angels. His ability to reestablish his value has earned him a deal with the Braves.
According to Ken Rosenthal:
Source: Jason Grilli to #Braves.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 24, 2014
Source says Grilli deal with #Braves is for two years with a club option for a third.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 24, 2014
Mark Bowman has the terms of the deal.
Grilli will receive $4.25M in 2015 and $3.5M in 2016. He has a $3M option for 2017 ($250K buyout). Contract includes a $250K signing bonus
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) December 24, 2014
The Braves place a lot of value in the guys who can get the ball to Craig Kimbrel to close games. Grilli does that well, and the Braves are getting a nice guy to land him.
In 12 years in the big leagues, Grilli has a career 4.16 ERA. In 2014, Grilli posted a 4.00 ERA in 62 games with a strikeout rate of 9.5 K/9, splitting his time between the Pirates and Angels.
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