July 25, 2012: Pittsburgh, PA, USA: Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Jason Grilli (39) throws against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Pugliese-USA TODAY Sports

Grilli and his agent Gary Sheffield finished off that counter offer stance by saying that the pitcher would just as well return to Pittsburgh if there were no three year offers made. Sure enough, CBSSports.com is reporting that this afternoon Grilli has signed a two year deal to remain a Pirate.

With no other bullpen arms rumored of late, it will be interesting to see how the front office will proceed with their goal of strengthening the pen. With the Cubs not guaranteeing a third year on Japanese import Kyuji Fujikawa, it is understandable that Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer held their ground on their supposed two year offer to Grilli.

One name that Cubs fans should keep their hopes up on is Jaye Chapman. You may recall that he was non tendered by the Cubs in a bit of a surprise move. Hoyer has commented that the Cubs would like to resign all of their non tenders, and so far the Cubs are one for one with the return of Ian Stewart. Chapman held his own as a late season call up after coming over from the Braves system in the Paul Maholm and Reed Johnson trade, and the rebuilding Cubs would be wise to see what the young arm can do out of the pen over the course of a full season.

September 30, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Jason Grilli (39) reacts after striking out the side against the Cincinnati Reds during the eighth inning at PNC Park. The Cincinnati Reds won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

One name that has actually popped up on the radar is Jason Grilli. The veteran reliever had spent the last two seasons with the Pirates, posting a sub 3.00 ERA both times over a combined 92 appearances and 91 1/3 innings. Even more attractive is the strikeouts per nine innings ratios, which were 10.2 and 13.8 in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Grilli’s walks totals are slightly higher than desired, but based on his WHIP and ERA over the last two seasons, he has shown to be able work around them and limit the damage.

The right hander earned $1.1 million last season and would be looking for a bit of a raise this off season. The only other competition for Grilli that has been named so far is division rival Milwaukee.