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 set to sign their first reliever of the offseason.
Veteran right-hander Joakim Soria agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the A's, the team announced Friday, one after The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported the sides were "finalizing" a deal.
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USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported the terms of the contract, which the team didn't announce.
Soria split his 2018 with the Chicago White Sox and the 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.
In 22 previous appearances at 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.
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Although Jeurys Familia is back in New York as a Met, the A's bullpen again figures to be a strength in 2019. What happens to their starting rotation, however, is a different question entirely.
