Australian pitcher Grant Balfour agrees to two-year deal with Baltimore Orioles Grant Balfour is reportedly on his way from Oakland to Baltimore. AUSTRALIAN pitcher Grant Balfour has reached an agreement on a two-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, according to reports out of the US. The deal is believed to be worth US$14 million (AU$15.7m) with an additional US$500,000 (AU$561,000) in deferred money each year. The 35-year-old closer went 1-3 with a 2.59 ERA and 38 saves last season with the Oakland Athletics, and earned All Star honours. Balfour is expected to replace Jim Johnson as closer. Johnson was traded to Oakland for second baseman Jemile Weeks and minor league catcher David Freitas earlier this month. Balfour is the all-time save leader and strikeout leader among Australian MLB pitchers.