Athletics Sign Trevor Rosenthal to One-Year Deal

If you can throw 97 to 98 mph on the radar gun, you likely won’t be unemployed for too long. That’s exactly the case for free-agent right-hander Trevor Rosenthal, who recently signed a one-year $11 million deal with the Oakland Athletics based on Jon Heyman’s reporting.

Oakland desperately needed a closer after losing Liam Hendriks to the Chicago White Sox. Rosenthal hasn’t been an everyday close since the 2015 season with the Cardinals. However, he still pitched in some save situations while splitting his time between the Royals and Padres organizations last year.

In 23.2 innings, he finished with a 1.90 ERA, 0.845 WHIP, 38 strikeouts, and 11 saves. At a price tag of $11 million, he’ll enter spring training as their closer and win join a bullpen that led the league with a 2.72 ERA last season.

FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Athletics as the favorite to win the AL West at +135, +100 to win the pennant, and +2500 to win the World Series.