In what has been anticipated for a few days now, Grant Balfour has agreed to a two year $15 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Balfour, 35, will help fill the void of recently traded closer Jim Johnson, who netted the Orioles second baseman Jemile Weeks. The Orioles will be Balfour's 5th career team after stops in Minnesota, Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, and Oakland. Despite breaking into the majors in 2001, Balfour has only been a closer since 2012, but has been solid since being handed the role. In the past 2 years he has notched 62 saves to go along with a sub-2.6 ERA. He should slide into the closer role in Baltimore without missing a beat. So in essence the A's and the Orioles swapped closers this offseason with the Orioles also getting Jemile Weeks in the swap, so I think the Orioles came out on top. I do think Balfour is a little better closer than Johnson as well, but they are both pretty similar. A good signing in what has otherwise been a quiet offseason for the Orioles.