Balfour agrees to 1-year deal

By ROGER MOONEY | rmooney@tampatrib.com
Published: December 14, 2009

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Grant Balfour might not have had his best season in 2009, but it was profitable.

The right-hander, who led the Rays in appearances, avoided arbitration Sunday when he agreed to a one-year, $2.05 million contract.

Balfour, who made $1.4 million in 2009, pitched in 73 games last season, the second most in team history behind Shawn Camp's 75 in 2006. He allowed a career-high six home runs and his ERA jumped from 1.54 during his breakout 2008 season to 4.81.

Balfour, who turns 32 on Dec. 30, became one of four Rays to agree to contracts over the weekend and avoid arbitration, joining catcher Dioner Navarro ($2.1 million) and pitchers Lance Cormier ($1.2 million) and Randy Choate ($700,000). Those three signed on Saturday.

Shortstop Jason Bartlett, center fielder B.J. Upton, catcher Kelly Shoppach and pitchers Matt Garza and J.P. Howell are the remaining Rays who are unsigned.