Pittsburgh Pirates closer Jason Grilli is hoping to sign a contract extension with the team, reports Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune.
Jason Grilli seeking contract extension from Pirates
Grilli is entering the last year of his deal and would like to add a few years to his time in PIttsburgh.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Grilli, 37, is entering the last season of a two-year, $6.75 million contract he signed with Pittsburgh prior to 2012. The right-hander says he does not necessarily expect to come to an agreement on a new deal this offseason, but that he would like to talk to the team about the possibility of adding on additional years.
After years of up and down play, Grilli has settled in nicely since first joining the Pirates in 2011. He has made 146 appearances in three years, posting a 2.74 ERA and 1.13 WHIP overall. He earned the full-time closing role in Pittsburgh in 2013, collecting 33 saves with a 2.70 ERA and being selected to his first All Star game.
Though Grilli missed six weeks due to a strained flexor tendon, he claims his arm is now healthy and that he is good to go moving forward.
The Pirates, one of baseball's smaller markets, may not be willing to pony up the kind of money Grilli would likely be expecting given the value many closers are receiving. For example, Joe Nathan signed a two-year deal worth over $20 million with the Tigers. In Arizona, J.J. Putz signed a two-year deal worth $14.5 million at the same time Grilli agreed to his current deal.
Led by Grilli, the Pirates had one of the best bullpens in the major leagues in 2013. However, that may not bode well for Grilli's chances of being re-signed. If Pittsburgh does not want to spend the money, they could let him leave next year and install Mark Melancon, Justin Wilson or Vin Mazzaro as closer.
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