Atlanta Braves agree to deal with pitcher Jason Grilli

UPDATE: The Atlanta Braves have formally announced the agreement with Jason Grilli.

——

The Atlanta Braves have been extremely active on both the trade and free agent markets this offseason, and that onslaught continued on Tuesday evening. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Braves have agreed to a contract with former Pirates and Angels relief pitcher Jason Grilli.

The 38-year-old Grilli has enjoyed mild success in recent years, but the second part of Rosenthal’s report may be worrisome for some.

Naturally, a multi-year contract for a 38-year-old relief pitcher isn’t ideal, but without monetary specifics, it is difficult to fully assess the deal. Jason Grilli will fit into a “set up” role, with the Braves already employing elite closer Craig Kimbrel, but much like Jim Johnson before him, Atlanta appears to be targeting “value” with older relief pitchers with injury track records.

In 2014, Grilli appeared in 62 games between two teams, and the results were mixed, with a 4.00 ERA. Still, he has shown high-end upside with strikeouts in the past, with 9.50 per 9 innings last season and more than 13 strikeouts per 9 in two previous campaigns with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

It will be quite interesting to see what kind of money is attached to this deal, but for now, we know that Jason Grilli will be a part of a triumvirate of pitchers at the end of games during the 2015 season for the Atlanta Braves.