Pirates to decide closer Joel Hanrahan’s role – MLB News
Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, Dec. 12, officially announced the deal with the setup reliever Jason Grilli. The two-year $6.75 million contract comes at a time when the new debate has entered the discourse about the potential
role of closer Joel Hanrahan.
Hanrahan is eligible for arbitration for the final time. Also, he will be free agent after the 2013 season. The Pirates had to find a pitcher who can not only pitch as setup reliever but also closer whenever required.
The two made a good pair this past season. As to what lies ahead for closer Joel Hanrahan is a question that the Pirates will have to address soon. Thus Grilli was to be secured; considering the fact that he had offers by multiple
teams, chief among whom were the Cubs and Blue Jays.
But while that continues to be debated, Bucs have attained what they had planned.
The Bucs made their move cautiously, albeit emphatically. And that which served well here was the fact that Grilli had familiarity with the Bucs. Having played with other teams, staying with the Pirates was the right course for
him.
"I've got a good feeling here," Grilli said. "We've inched closer and closer, and I don't want to miss that because I know what it feels like when the city just goes bananas over a winning team."
He, after all, was instrumental in giving the team 44-20 lead during the regular season in his 64 appearances.
Another factor that kept Grilli with the Pirates was the experience with manager Clint Hurdle who – back in 2008-09, happened to be his manager in the Colorado Rockies as well. That association remains rewarding, and exciting as
Jason Grilli puts himself.
"When I was with the Rockies, he asked me what I wanted out of my career,"Grilli said. "I said, if I'm going to be a reliever and I'm getting out of tough situations in the middle of the game, why can't I do it in the back of the
game when it really matters? That, to me, is more rewarding, more exciting."
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