According to industry sources, the Yankees have shown some interest in closer Grant Balfour, whose two-year deal with the Orioles disintegrated. Balfour has converted 62 of 67 save opportunities the last two years.
The fiery right-hander was all set to be the Orioles closer until, according to Baltimore general manager Dan Duquette, the team’s doctors did not like what they saw concerning his shoulder during his physical. Balfour contended he has been examined by some of the top orthopedists in the game and has been given a clean bill of health.
The Yankees want to give David Robertson the shot to earn the closer’s role and Robertson told The Post on Saturday he is fully prepared to follow Mariano Rivera in the role. The Yankees bullpen has lost much, though, since last season and by adding Balfour they would have an experienced closer who lives for competition. Robertson also said if the team wants him to be an eighth-inning pitcher he will do that again.
The Yankees bullpen is lacking after a year of change. But the $189 million threshold continues to be an issue, and the team has to decide if it wants to jump feet-first into such a market. Until Baltimore backed out, Balfour and the team had agreed on a two-year, $15 million deal.