The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Grant Balfour on a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration. The deal is reportedly worth $1.4 million. The Rays also signed right-handed pitcher Lance Cormier to a one-year major league deal. To clear room on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Dewon Day was designated for assignment. Balfour, 31, went 6-2 with four saves and a 1.54 ERA in 51 games for the Rays last season. He struck out 82 batters in just 58.1 innings, a 12.65 strikeouts per nine innings ratio, ninth best all-time among American League relievers. His .143 opponents batting average ranked 2nd among all big league relievers and his ERA, fourth. RealGM Note: Balfour led the MLB in SWHIP: SWHIP amongst pitchers with at least 50 innings of work in 2008. Balfour was ranked 276th in season FIC and 'deserved' to make $3M, which makes this signing a very affordable one for Tampa Bay.