All-Star Australian pitcher Grant Balfour is considering filing a grievance against the Baltimore Orioles after the Major League Baseball team bailed out of a proposed $US15 million ($A17 million) deal.
Balfour and the Orioles were set to hold a press conference in Baltimore on Friday to welcome the 35-year-old to the team, but the event was abruptly called off.
The Orioles backed out of the two-year proposed contract claiming concerns with Balfour's physical examination.
The move outraged Balfour who had two respected physicians give him the all clear.
"I called (Orioles general manager) Dan Duquette and told him, 'I've played in this league for 10 years, I deserve to be treated with respect and you did not treat me with respect'," Balfour told the San Francisco Chronicle.
Sydney-born Balfour is one of Major League Baseball's top closing pitchers, earning an All-Star berth last season while playing with the Oakland Athletics.
The Orioles' cold feet could cost Balfour millions of dollars, with other MLB teams fearing he is damaged goods.
Balfour was looking to cash in after stellar form with Oakland, but is now considering filing a grievance against the Orioles with the MLB Players Association for the way they dealt with him.
He saved 62 of 67 opportunities the past two seasons, including an A's record 44 in a row.
