Right-handed reliever Trevor Rosenthal has signed with the Oakland Athletics. Rosenthal and the A’s agreed to a one-year deal worth $11 million. Rosenthal, 30, will bolster an A’s bullpen who lost their 2020 closer, Liam Hendriks. The deal is pending a physical.
Source confirms: Trevor Rosenthal to A’s, one year, $11M, pending physical. First: @JonHeyman.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 18, 2021
A’s Strengthen Bullpen with Rosenthal
Rosenthal will be entering his 10th major league season in 2021. After coming up with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012, Rosenthal’s career has been up and down. He became the Cardinals’ closer in 2014, finishing among the best in baseball with 45 saves. In 2015, he notched 48 saves, 83 strikeouts, and a 2.10 ERA, earning his first and only All-Star selection. Later on, he dealt with injury issues, including an elbow problem that forced him to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the 2018 season. After bouncing around with three other teams, Rosenthal had a terrific comeback season in 2020 with the Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres.
This past season, Rosenthal proved he could still be an effective late-inning reliever. In 23 appearances, he posted a 1.90 ERA and a 41.8% strikeout percentage, both the best of his career. He converted 11 of 12 save opportunities. After being traded to San Diego at the trade deadline, he threw 10 innings without allowing an earned run for one of the best bullpens in baseball. Rosenthal has one of the hardest fastballs in baseball, according to Statcast, to go along with a slider and a changeup.
Trevor Rosenthal should fit in nicely with the A’s. After having Hendricks as their closer last season, the A’s bullpen will get a boost from signing Rosenthal. Rosenthal was one of the best relievers in baseball last year. They are hoping Rosenthal has put his injury issues behind him and can maintain his 2020 form. He will be added to the bullpen mix and also have a good chance at closing games. It is always possible that the A’s will just have a closer by committee and not have one pitcher close out games.
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