MLB News: Atlanta Braves, Jason Grilli Agree On 2-Year Deal Worth $7.75M

Jason Grilli and the Atlanta Braves will extend their partnership after the veteran reliever signed a two-year contract with the club. The official Atlanta Braves Twitter account posted the announcement on Tuesday. Mark Bowman, beat writer for the Braves also confirmed the deal and stated the terms of the contract.

#Braves agree to terms with free-agent RHP Jason Grilli (@GrillCheese49) on 2-year contract for 2015-16, with a club option for 2017

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) December 24, 2014

Grilli will receive $4.25M in 2015 and $3.5M in 2016. He has a $3M option for 2017 ($250K buyout). Contract includes a $250K signing bonus — Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) December 24, 2014

The Braves-Grilli agreement, $4.25 million in 2015 and $3.5 million in 2016, includes a third-year team option of $3 million. Grilli, who is expected to assume the role of recently-traded Jordan Walden, was an All-Star for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013. The 38-year-old is a veteran journeyman who played for various MLB clubs including the Chicago White Sox (2004), Detroit Tigers (2005 to 2008), Colorado Rockies (2008), Texas Rangers (2009), Pittsburgh Pirates (2011 to 2014) and Los Angels Angels (2014) in an 11-year MLB career accumulating a win-loss record of 22-34, Earned Run Average (ERA) of 4.16 with 520 strikeouts.

With the acquisition the Braves have beefed up their bullpen despite Grilli’s struggle with injuries with the Pirates in the 2014 season. He was traded on June 27, 2014 to the Los Angeles Angels where he posted 3.48 ERA and settled into a set-up role. Other relievers with the Braves are right-handed pitchers Jim Johnson, David Carpenter, Luis Avilan and left-hander James Russell and they are expected to give Atlanta some late-innings options in the pitching position.