Pirates’ Grilli: ‘I Want To Be Here’

BRADENTON, Fla. (93-7 The Fan) – Jason Grilli talked with the Fan’s Dan Zangrilli today in Bradenton, Fla. after a story came out that the Pirates closer was critical of team management at last year’s trade deadline.

Grilli was quoted by Fox Sports’ John Paul Morosi saying, “It’s just when you’re winning, it’s like, ‘Dude, do you want to go for the gusto here? Do you want to go for the jugular?… Pull the trigger. Do you want to win? Do you want change?”

Grilli told 93.7 The Fan today, “I signed back with the Pirates because I wanted to be here. I have no problem with management. I have no problem with who I’m playing with, who’s around here. That’s why I signed here.”

Grilli said he welcomed any questions about the interview and he would be glad to clear it up.

“There was no knock against management, I can be very clear and direct about that. There was never anything about ‘Neal (Huntington) should have done this or Neal should have done that,’” Grilli said.

The 36-year-old Grilli signed a two-year contract in December to be the Pirates’ new closer after Joel Hanrahan was traded.

He believes the comments were taken out of context.

“Heck, the Bible is sometimes interpreted the way people want to interpret it,” Grilli said.