Comments on: Grant Balfour surprisingly declines Rays’ arbitration offer

By: flpunx

flpunx — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:46:13 +0000

So if we lose all of our bullpen free agents (which it very well looks like we may, minus maybe Balfour and Wheeler) we will go from this past season of actually not worrying once our bullpen comes in, back to the olden days of hanging our heads in sorrow every time a starter gets yanked. I know the Rays have a great starting rotation, but Shields and Garza can have their 2 inning outings, and then we are relying on Lance Cormier? True Hellickson and Sonnanstine fit the long reliever role nicely, but some people are going to have to adjust to different roles in the bullpen, and we’ve already seen the difference it makes with Hellickson when he starts vs. coming out of the bullpen. . . . . .

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:09:30 +0000

So who did accept arbitration? As expected, Jason Frasor will be back with The Jays. Toronto will still pick up an extra 5 early round draft picks next year.

By: chedberg

chedberg — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 02:11:18 +0000

Come on Balfour, don’t leave us with Wheeler.

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 01:23:48 +0000

I would not be surprised if Balfour has a contract almost sewn up. It would probably be with a team that is not in danger of losing its first round pick. Jason Frasor of the Jays is in a similar situation. One reporter said that Frasor was negotiating with 3 teams. If he does not sign before midnight, he will accept arbitration.