Yanks see value in a cheaper Balfour

HAS THE back end of the bullpen moved to the top of the Yankees’ to-do list?

While the Bombers — and the rest of Major League Baseball — wait tosee ifJapanese ace Masahiro Tanaka will be posted, the relief pitching market has taken center stage following the bizarre circumstancesthat saw Grant Balfour sign with Baltimore, only to have the Orioles rescind the offer after claiming to see something they didn't like during his physical.

According to a source, the Yankees aren’t looking to sign a bigmoney closer, preferring to bring in a set-up type reliever to compete with Dave Robertson for the closer’s job.

The Bombers have been aggressive on the free-agent market this winter — they inked Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran before the winter meetings — but they have shied away from getting involved with top closers such as Joe Nathan, Fernando Rodney or, to this point, Balfour.

Given Balfour’s current situation, that could change.

Balfour agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract with the Orioles last week, but Baltimore backed out of the deal after Balfour took his physical. Balfour, who turns 36 next week, insists there is nothing wrong with his arm, telling the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday that the MRI on his right shoulder — which was surgically repaired in 2005 — looks the same as it did three years ago.

“I’m the All-Star pitcher I was last season,” Balfour told the paper. “My shoulder is fine, everything is fine. I’m ready to come out there in theninth inning, do what Ido.”

Still, Baltimore’s decision to back out of its deal with Balfour could hurt the pitcher’s market value. If Balfour’s price drops, the Yankees could try to swoop in and nab him, pairing him with Robertson at theback end of thebullpen.

Balfour converted 62 of his 67 save opportunities during his two years as Oakland’s closer, posting a 2.56 ERA in 140 appearances. Balfour fanned more than a batter per inning during those two years, postinga 1.049WHIP.

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