The relief pitching market is starting to move a little bit.
Last week, the Boston Red Sox had signed veteran closer Kenley Jansen to a two-year deal.
But more moves are sure to be made.
Today, the Oakland Athletics made a key move to strengthen their bullpen.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Oakland has signed veteran right-hander Trevor May to a one-year, $7 million deal.
May was limited to just 26 appearances with the New York Mets in 2022 due to injuries.
In those 26 appearances, May went 2-0.
However, he posted a 5.04 ERA in 25 innings pitched.
But the 33-year-old had posted an ERA below four in four consecutive years dating back to 2018.
Right-hander Trevor May and the Oakland A’s are in agreement on a one-year, $7 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. May, 33, will get a $1 million signing bonus and can make another $500,000 in performance bonuses.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 16, 2022
A’s Grab May
In 309 career appearances, May is 32-24 and has a lifetime ERA of 4.35.
From 2018-2021, the veteran righty was one of the most reliable relievers in all of baseball.
Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008, May made his debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2014 and was with the team through the pandemic-shortened 2020 season before joining the Mets on a two-year deal.
The right-hander was a Futures Game selection in 2014 before making his MLB debut.
The A’s have not been terribly active in recent offseasons.
The team did recently sign utility infielders Jace Peterson and Aledmys Diaz to two-year contracts.
May marks the third signing of the offseason for Oakland.
This comes mere days after the team traded away star catcher Sean Murphy to the Atlanta Braves and landed Manny Pina from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Oakland lost 100 games during the 2022 regular season and appears to be headed for a similar finish in 2023, but signing May might help them stabilize their bullpen.
