First 48 hours after a trade: Q&A with Jason Grilli
In our 48 hours series, theScore editors talk to recently traded players about what happens behind the scenes after they're dealt.
On May 28, in front of a surprisingly robust crowd at Turner Field, Jason Grilli - the delightfully exuberant, extremely well-traveled right-hander - threw one inning of scoreless relief for the hapless Atlanta Braves, who improved to 14-34 with a 7-2 victory over the Miami Marlins.
Four days later, the 39-year-old came jogging out of the Toronto Blue Jays' bullpen, Pearl Jam blaring over the loudspeaker as Grilli - sporting the same jersey his old man donned for 2 1/3 innings in 1979 - was tasked with preserving a tenuous lead for the reigning American League East champions.
What was it like for the 39-year-old to get uprooted? Well, with the non-waiver trade deadline looming, we asked.
How did you find out that you had been dealt to Toronto?
JG: Truth be told, I got wind of it because my agent called and goes, 'Did you get traded?' and I said, 'No, that I know of,' but I guess because Rogers is publicly traded, or when money is exchanged and stuff, that gets out rather quickly; so I said, 'No,' and then, before I went out to (batting practice), the Braves kind of brought me in and told me the commissioner was up in the air - there were a lot of things happening - (so) I didn't say anything. I don't like to speak or hope on things until you hear it out of the horse's mouth, and then I finally got the word it was official, it was approved, and here I am.
So the deal is done. Who's the first person you call?
JG: Who do you think? The wife. That's who it has to be, man. The boss! You have to tell her. And, like I said, it was a happy occasion, 'cause she was ready for a change. Think we all were. And to be in close proximity to my family, up in Pittsburgh right now, it just works out. It's a short drive. It's a quick flight. And this is the closest I've ever been to home.
Logistically, how much is it a struggle adjusting to not only a new team and a new city, but, in this case, a new country?
JG: You rely heavily on your traveling secretaries, and the people that can help transition you a little bit quicker. The loose pieces, the loose ends, it's trying to detach from your apartment situation; get your personal belongings where they need to be; your family, sometimes, where they need to be. But it was pretty smooth. I have to say, this was probably the smoothest of them all.
I actually sold my furniture - I bought furniture instead of renting furniture - to my teammate, Jace Peterson. I said, Do you want this, dude? I'll sell it to ya, bargain price!' ... So he got rid of his furniture. He was two doors down, so that was easy and it helped him out. The pieces of the puzzle sometimes just fit. This one surely did.
This was your third trade since debuting in 2000. Have you gotten better at preparing for it?
JG: I anticipated this one better than the other times. You just kind of start feeling like there's a few people that used to talk to you that may not talk to you as much. I just got a sense about it. I think I've always been a good judge of people, reading people.
Like, this time, getting traded to here, I started packing. And people are like, 'Why are you packing?' And I go, 'I could just tell; I sense something's up and hopefully for the good, for the better.' So you can never really be fully prepared. And sometimes, you know, every time I've been traded, when the words are out, 'We've traded you,' I'm going, 'To where?' because I'm like, 'Is it going to take me further away from my family?' and that whole situation.
People don't see that. They just see the unbelievable feat that you get to do. You know, fans, they get to go home to their house, they get to sleep in their bed every night, and that's a treasure that we envy them for.
And do you stay in touch with any of your teammates from Atlanta? Typically, do you stay in touch with former teammates?
JG: Oh yeah, I try all the time. It's hard. It is. Usually, just a hello; sometimes 'What's up? Just thinking of you.' You see a highlight and you're just like, 'Hey man, nice play.' It's hard, because you're so ingrained and so many people are tugging at you, but you definitely continue to wish guys well. You root for guys that you continually have. And, for me, I've played on so many different teams, now I'm just trying to get 'em out. Have bragging rights.
