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The Athletics have made a move to acquire right-hander Edward Mujica and cash considerations from the Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later or cash, according to a team announcement. Mujica was recently designated for assignment by Boston in an effort by the team to give some of its younger bullpen arms a chance at the major-league level.
Mujica, who turns 31 on Sunday, is owed roughly $4 million for the rest of this season, so the cash included in the deal by the Red Sox likely covers most of that sum. Mujica signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with Boston before last season, but has struggled in his first American League stint since 2008, posting a 4.03 ERA in 75 appearances over his two seasons with the Sox.
Oakland's bullpen currently ranks second to last in the majors with a 5.29 ERA, caused mostly by struggles from Dan Otero (4.85 ERA in 12 games), Fernando Abad (6.00 ERA in 13 appearances), and R.J. Alvarez (13.00 ERA in 10 appearances. Mujica will likely serve as a setup man in front of effective closer Tyler Clippard, joining Evan Scribner and Chris Bassitt as potentially-effective righties in the team's bullpen mix.
In parts of ten major-league seasons with the Indians (2006-2008), Padres (2009-2010), Marlins (2011-2012), Cardinals (2012-2013) and Red Sox (2014-2015), Mujica is the owner of a lifetime 3.79 ERA. He was an All-Star in 2013 with St. Louis, when he posted a 2.78 ERA and saved 37 games en route to a National League championship with the Cards.