Pittsburgh Pirates explore options to improve bullpen
The Pittsburgh Pirates have tended to cautiously proceed throughout the offseason. They, after all, did not have a big shopping list when the Winter Meetings got underway and concluded. As the offseason inches along, they have signed and re-signed players
who will play a key role in the team’s success.
The potential future moves are subject to speculation at the moment. However, that which will require attention and equal assiduity to address in the near future is a starter for the rotation. As to who will be part of starting pitching is to be decided
after possibly landing A. J. Burnett in mid-February.
However, the decision to re-sign the setup reliever Jason Grilli will go a long way to strengthen the Bucs' bullpen. He, after all, was instrumental in helping the team have 44-20 record in the 64 games that he appeared in.
Finishing the season with 58 2/3 innings, having got no less than 90 strikeouts, Grilli limited batters to a .207 average.
The Pirates re-signed him at a time when other teams were also looking to have Grilli in the bullpen. The Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays were among the two leading teams interested in signing the setup reliever.
But having played with multiple other teams, for Grilli, staying with Bucs was a rewarding decision. That was more because of the association he has developed with it throughout these years. And add to it the fact that he has played under the mentorship
of Clint Hurdle – the serving Bucs manager, in Colorado Rockies as well.
He is ready to embrace to all kind of challenges challenge even after when he had an elbow surgery coupled with knee injury that kept him out of the 2010 season.
"I wasn't supposed to play this game again," he said. "My leg was ripped off. I had two elbow surgeries. Cards were stacked against me. I'm not fearful for any obstacle or any challenges that's presented for me. Neal and I even had our own challenges, and
we worked through them and that's why I'm here."
With Grilli here, the Pirates have two choices available to them: Either to use him as setup reliever and Hanrahan as the closer, or trade Hanrahan now and get another pitcher that would further improve the bullpen. All that, obviously, will be clear in
the days to come as the Pirates weigh all options.
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