The A's rode their bullpen to 97 wins and a spot in the AL Wild Card game in 2018. Headed into 2019, they're reportedly set to sign their first reliever of the offseason.
Free agent Joakim Soria and the A's are reportedly close to "finalizing" a two-year deal, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The deal will be worth $15 million, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported.
#Athletics close to finalizing two-year deal with free-agent reliever Joakim Soria, sources tell The Athletic. Some details to complete, and Soria must pass physical.— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 21, 2018
Soria will earn about $15 million when the deal is completed.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 21, 2018
Soria split his 2018 with the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. In 66 appearances, the 34-year-old posted a 3.12 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. According to STATS LLC, Soria's 2.47 fielding-independent pitching (FIP) was 12th-best among pitchers who pitched at least 60 innings last season.
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In 22 previous appearances at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Soria had 13 saves (in 13 opportunities), and a 2.82 ERA. Opponents slashed .224/.284/.271 against the right-hander, and he allowed 0.86 walks and hits per inning.
Although Jeurys Familia is back in New York as a Met, the A's bullpen figures to be a strength once again in 2019. What happens to their starting rotation, however, is a different question entirely.
