Jason Grilli joins Pittsburgh Pirates – MLB News
The Pittsburgh Pirates played their cards well as they signed Jason Grilli for the team. The reliever, known for the variation in his pitches in the last moments of the game is said to be all set to start serving the Pirates.
"It's a beautiful situation for me," he said. "I've only been here a day and a half, but I can feel this city coming alive for baseball. I can't wait to get started. I'll probably be the first guy in the clubhouse (Friday)."
The offer actually came when Grilli was playing in Triple-A Club of the Philadelphia Phillies. Although the last inning that he pitched was not particularly classy, he ended up striking-out one and giving up one hit.
However, not for a moment did the reliever have any doubt in his mind that something would turn up eventually for him. "I was getting pretty discouraged," Grilli said. "But I knew things would work out if I kept pitching well."
The player is of course excited to join a high calibre team like the Pittsburgh Pirates. He even quipped to an old friend he saw in the team. “Make sure you give me an inning tonight," Grilli said. "There's a scout here to see me."
Representing Lehigh Valley, he has a 4.74 ERA in the 356.2 innings that he has pitched. However, the fact is that he is 34 and how well he serves the team will only remain a topic for increasingly polarised debates and speculations.
Whatever the outcome is and how he pitches in the days to come, the Pittsburgh Pirates are considering to use Grilli as a late-inning reliever. That will somehow reduce the role of Jose Veras who has not had a good time with his performances lately.
Bound to be placed as setup man for another Pirates’ closer, Joel Hanrahan, Grilli has functions that will best serve the team in the near future. With 4-1 saves and 1.93 ERA in last few weeks, he is all poised to render his services for the team.
The Pirates as a team have held a great record this season. Having placed themselves second in the Central Division ranking with 51 wins, they are only two games behind the Milwaukee Brewers.
Their overall record makes a good read as well. Having been successful in 51 games, they are ranked 12th in the 2011 MLB regular season, following only the Los Angeles Angels. If the new trade works out, the team is bound to better their record,
standing a chance to go up in the rankings.
Only time will tell how the addition of Grilli will benefit the team and improve their performance.
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