The Athletics are in agreement on a minor league contract with left-hander Jerry Blevins, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. He’d earn a $1.5MM base salary if he makes the big league roster. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle had reported just minutes prior that Blevins and the A’s were close to a deal. With this deal, the Excel Sports client will be returning to Oakland for a second stint after breaking into the Majors with the A’s and spending the 2007-13 seasons there.
Since departing the A’s, the now-35-year-old Blevins has spent the past five seasons in the National League East — one with the Nationals and four with the Mets. While the 2016-17 seasons were both strong ones for Blevins — 2.87 ERA, 12.0 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 — the 2018 season was a rough one. Blevins limped to a 4.85 ERA with 8.6 K/9, 4.6 BB/9, 1.27 HR/9 and a career-worst 21.8 percent ground-ball rate.
Despite last season’s unsightly results, Blevins has a long track record of overwhelming left-handed opponents, having held them to a .206/.264/.306 slash through the other 11 seasons of his career. In all, he has a career 3.52 ERA with 9.2 K/9 against 3.5 BB/9 in 463 Major League innings.
Left-handed relief is a clear area of need for the Athletics, making Blevins a logical addition for VP of baseball operations Billy Beane, GM David Forst and the rest of the Oakland front office. At present, Ryan Buchter is not only the sole left-handed bullpen option on the 40-man roster — he’s the only healthy left-handed pitcher on their 40-man roster at all. The A’s, however, have several other non-roster invitees to big league camp in the form of Kyle Crockett, Dean Kiekhefer and Kyle Lobstein — each of whom will compete with Blevins to earn a spot in manager Bob Melvin’s relief corps.
Surprised he only got a minor league deal.
Me too. His 2018 was rough (in addition to having reversed R/L splits) but you would have thought he could have managed to get a guaranteed deal given his track record.
At this point with pitchers soon reporting, teams have no need to give anyone other than an obvious star a guaranteed one year deal. Why uproot the 40 man roster? If Blevens had a MLB offer, it would likely have been reported already. Other than injury protection or a complete meltdown, he’ll be on somebody’s opening day roster. Could get dealt if the A’s have better options.
Nice pickup. Only one year removed from being a quality arm.
2 years
Less than two years
More than one year
He chose the wrong year to have 4.85 ERA 4.97 FIP…
Previous 2 years, ERA was below 3.00 in 70+ games annually
I would like to add to my first post…
Mets picked up his 7M club option and then he bombed
Honestly, I think this contract turns out to be a steal. Guy set himself up, to be paid, nicely, until 2018, came out of nowhere. Can Mets’ fans explain what happened?
overuse from Terry “the deadarm” Collins
Thanks! I know we had our disagreements or misunderstanding, but appreciate these takes can only get from the die hard fans who watch the games. It’s mostly why I made an account. (Other than knowin mlb news before most lol)
My problem lies with the Wilpons. As a NY Knicks, Jets and Ranger fan, I somewhat feel Mets fans’ pain, albeit for different reasons lol.
Good luck to you and Hope the Wilpons sell
Terry definitely abused the BP and that included Blevins. He can be a quality lefty who is never going to blow a guy away, but he is crafty. $1.5m on a MiLB deal could be a nice find for the A’s. Jerry has always been a class act and I hope he does well out in Oakland.
He was situational, not a regular relief pitcher. Never pitched more than 49 innings for the Mets. Don’t see how dead arm applies
This is a great signing.
Welcome back to the most beautiful city in California. Just another piece of the puzzle in the A’s conquest for another ring. #cityofchampions
Beautiful city but one of the top murder capitals in the nation
Very nice signing. A’s have their second lefty now. The bullpen is complete, and it is a very excellent bullpen.
They still need a lefty for the rotation. With all of these nice low key pick ups for cheap, anyone think they make a big surprise splash and sign Keuchel?
I don’t see it happening but that would be awesome. I still think/hope we sign at least one more veteran starter. I wouldn’t mind Gio as well.
I think the A’s are being chintzy with pitching because they have a ton of high minors prospects and guys coming back from injury and also they anticipate locking up their core of Chapman Olson Semien Davis and that ain’t going to be cheap.
Good pickup by Oakland.
Welcome back Jerry!
Only if his value dropped to 2 year contract which I seriously doubt.
Good signing, all the best Jerry.
He was a true asset for the Amazins until last season. If he can find his stuff he will be deadly v lefties. Man o man, he made Harper look bad on quite a few occasions.
Love that uniform.
Jerry has a great chance to make the opening day roster!!