Oakland free agent closer Grant Balfour is attracting interest from the Tigers, Yankees, Rockies, Angels, and Rays, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Oakland did not make a qualifying offer to Balfour, so a team wouldn't have to surrender a draft pick to sign him. The intense Australian closer collected a 2.59 ERA over 62 2/3 innings this past year.

The A's did not make a qualifying offer to Grant Balfour. No surprise there, as one year, $14.1 million would have been an overpay for the Australian closer. Balfour should do well on the open market this winter now that teams don't have to sacrifice a top draft pick to sign him. He had a 2.59 ERA in 62 2/3 innings this year.

Grant Balfour took his third blown save after giving up a two-run homer to the Angels' Josh Hamilton on Wednesday. 38-for-41 in save chances is still outstanding, but there's some cause for concern in that Balfour has given up runs in five of his last 10 appearances. The A's have cut back on his workload this month, so he should still have quite a bit left in the tank. Fortunately for them, the Rangers' struggles have given them some margin for error.

Grant Balfour is unavailable for Saturday's game against the Astros after throwing 37 pitches while converting a save in Friday's contest. A's skipper Bob Melvin hinted at the fact that Balfour may also be unavailable on Sunday, but that it would depend on how the veteran right-hander is feeling. Ryan Cook is the favorite to see save chances while Balfour rests.

Grant Balfour gave up four runs for his second blown save of the season in Thursday's walk-off loss to the Tigers. Balfour entered the bottom of the ninth with a 6-3 lead, but the Tigers plated four runs on two hits and two walks, the big blow of which was a walk-off three run homer from Torii Hunter. The Aussie has been lights out all season, allowing just two runs (one earned) in 11 innings since his last blown save back on July 26, but he just didn't have it this day.

Grant Balfour earned his 32nd save of the season Saturday as the A's beat the Orioles 2-1. Balfour helped protect a Coco Crisp go-ahead ninth-inning home run by retiring all three batters he faced in the bottom of that frame -- two via strikeout. He should remain a superb fantasy option down the stretch.

Grant Balfour converted his 30th save of the season Sunday despite walking three, throwing a wild pitch and allowing a run to Toronto. Fortunately, Balfour was gifted with an easy save situation, entering the ninth inning nursing a 6-3 lead. A Brett Lawrie RBI double pulled Toronto within two runs, but Balfour coaxed a based loaded game-ending ground out from Jose Reyes. Despite the shaky outing, the Australian reliever still possesses a 1.96 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. He's converted 30-of-31 save chances this year.

Grant Balfour blew his first save of the season on Tuesday, surrendering three runs -- two earned -- to the Astros in 1/3 of an inning. Balfour recorded just one out in the outing, giving up a single to Justin Maxwell, a two-run homer to Matt Dominguez and a double to Jonathan Villar, who would score the winning run on an error by catcher Derek Norris. He'd been a perfect 26-for-26 previously, so we're not too concerned about one hiccup, Astros or otherwise.

Grant Balfour hasn't allowed a run over his last eight appearances. Balfour is currently sitting on a 1.63 ERA, the lowest of his career outside of a spectacular 2008 spent as Tampa Bay's setup man. He's 25-for-25 in save conversions to go with a 1.03 WHIP and 41/13 K/BB rate.

Grant Balfour hasn't allowed a run since June 23. Balfour's three-run implosion that day was the only appearance in June or July where he's allowed a run. The intense reliever has been one of the best closers in the game this season, nailing down all 24 save chances while posting a 1.72 ERA and 1.06 WHIP.