The A's biggest need this offseason is starting pitchers, and they are bringing back a familiar face.
Mike Fiers, who finished the 2018 season with the A's, signed to a two-year deal with the team on Monday.
This holiday, we're keeping warm by the Fiers.
The green and gold have signed Mike Fiers to a two-year contract.#RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/u17zyhXMd1— Oakland Athletics 🌳🐘⚾️ (@Athletics) December 24, 2018
On Saturday, FOX Sports' Jon Morosi reported the contract is worth between $14 million and $15 million.
Source: Michael Fiers and #Athletics in agreement on 2-year contract worth between $14 million and $15 million. Deal is pending physical, which is viewed as a formality since Fiers ended the 2018 season with Oakland. @MLB @MLBNetwork— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 22, 2018
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Source: Michael Fiers close to returning to Oakland on a two-year contract— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 22, 2018
Michael Fiers' 2-year deal with #Athletics will he worth between $14 million and $15 million, source says. @MLBNetwork @MLB— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 22, 2018
Acquired from the Tigers in the midseason trade, Fiers became a reliable member of the A's rotation. In nine starts and one relief appearance, the 33-year-old posted a 3.74 ERA and struck out 52 batters in 53 innings.
Fiers was arbitration-eligible following the season, but the A's non-tendered him, making him a free agent. He made $6 million in 2018, so his new deal with the A's will give him a slight raise.
The A's major league rotational depth is non-existent, so bringing back Fiers is a big step for a team that was an AL wild card team in 2018 and has playoff aspirations in 2019.
The deal with Fiers continues a busy couple of days for the A's. On Friday, the team announced a two-year deal with veteran reliever Joakim Soria and pulled off a three-team trade with the Rangers and Rays that netted them Jurickson Profar as their everyday second baseman.
