Athletics sign Yusmeiro Petit to 2-year deal

The Athletics and reliever Yusmeiro Petit have agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal, Petit’s agent Rafael Godoy told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The deal, pending a physical, includes a club option.

A 10-year veteran, Petit earned the deal with Oakland after throwing 91 ¹⁄₃ innings for the archrival Angels last year to lead all relievers in baseball. The 33-year-old right-hander also posted career bests in innings pitched, ERA (2.76), wins (five), WAR (1.6), WHIP (0.95) and appearances (60) while also striking out 101 batters.

Petit provides tremendous value and flexibility for the A’s, as he also has been a starter while playing for teams such as the Marlins, Diamondbacks, Giants and Nationals. Petit, who helped the Giants win the 2014 World Series while primarily being a reliever, has made 59 starts in his career, but has only started three games in the last three seasons.

By landing Petit, the Athletics solidified one of their biggest needs this offseason. After all, they acquired right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan after dealing Ryon Healy to the Mariners. Pagan had a stellar rookie season in Seattle, posting a 3.22 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 50 ¹⁄₃ innings across 34 appearances. These two should aid the bullpen out in its effort to help a young starting rotation that struggled to pitch deep in games.