Blue Jays plan to exercise Jason Grilli’s $3M option

Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins spoke about the way the season finished and how he feels going forward with their core group of players.

TORONTO – Barring the unforeseen, the Toronto Blue Jays plan to exercise Jason Grilli‘s 2017 option for $3 million, general manager Ross Atkins said Monday.

“As near to a no-brainer to pick up as you can get,” Atkins said.

Grilli, who turns 40 next month, impressed in Toronto after a mid-season trade with the Atlanta Braves. In 46 appearances for the Blue Jays, the right-hander posted a 3.64 ERA with 58 strikeouts against 19 walks in 42 innings. Considering that relievers with lesser credentials obtained two-year contracts in free agency last winter, it would have been a surprise had the Blue Jays declined the option in favour of a $250,000 buyout.

Grilli, who routinely punctuated big strikeouts with enthusiastic celebrations that energized the Rogers Centre crowd, said he enjoyed pitching for the Blue Jays, who he rooted for growing up. He’s now one of few sure things in a projected bullpen that will lose Brett Cecil and Joaquin Benoit to free agency. To make up for those potential departures, Atkins said the Blue Jays plan to add more arms to their bullpen over the winter.

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