The A's and veteran reliever Joakim Soria have agreed to a two-year contract, the club announced Friday. Sources told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez that the deal is expected to be in the $15 million to $15.5 million range.
The 34-year-old posted a 3.12 ERA over 66 appearances with the White Sox and Brewers last season, though the right-hander struggled somewhat following the July trade to Milwaukee, where he had a 4.09 ERA in 26 outings.
A veteran of 11 big league seasons, Soria has pitched for the Royals, Rangers, Tigers and Pirates, in addition to the White Sox and Brewers. He has a career 2.88 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. In seven postseason appearances for the Brewers last October, he gave up four runs in 4 2/3 innings.
The A's have been in the market for relievers this offseason, particularly after losing right-hander Jeurys Familia to free agency -- Familia returned to the Mets, who traded him to Oakland in July, on a three-year, $30 million contract.
The bullpen was one of the strengths Oakland used to make a surprising run in 2018, finishing with a 97-65 record to earn its first postseason berth since '14. The A's lost to the Yankees in the AL Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium.