Balfour introduced in Tampa Bay as the closer: 'I'm 100 percent healthy and you'll see that'
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Grant Balfour was introduced in Tampa Bay on Thursday, and make no mistake, he's the Rays' closer:
As if any question Maddon says Balfour will be the closer: "We're going to use the c-word this year."
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) January 23, 2014
Balfour will earn $5 million in 2014, and $7 million in 2015, Topkin adds.
Balfour, who agreed to a two-year, $15-million deal with the Orioles in mid-December, only to have the deal fall through due to physical issues, said he's totally, 100 percent healthy, and that he'll prove it on the mound.
#Rays Balfour on whether he'll be even more fired up facing #Orioles: "I guess you 'll have to tune in."
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) January 23, 2014
The Orioles and Rays will play each other 19 times this coming season. Fireworks!
Balfour reportedly turned down a similar offer from the Mets in order to return to Tampa Bay, where he spent four productive seasons from 2007 to 2010. He said he had more lucrative offers elsewhere, but the pull of the familiar Rays and Joe Maddon was too strong:
Balfour: "To be here in TB, play for Joe, be on a successful team year in & year out ... I feel pretty good about getting it done here."
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) January 23, 2014
The Rays designated left-handed pitcher Pedro Figueroa to make room for Balfour on the roster.
For more on the deal, including analysis from theScore's baseball writer, Drew Fairservice, check out the storyline below.