Oakland Athletics Sign Ryan Madson to three-year deal

A’s add to bullpen with signing of Ryan Madson

One of the things that helped make the Kansas City Royals World Champions was the strength of their bullpen. One of the things that derailed the Oakland Athletics’ 2015 season was their bullpen. They were 28th in bullpen ERA at 4.63 and blew 25 saves, which was third highest in baseball last season.

The A’s added Billy Butler from the Royals last offseason and have now added Ryan Madson to their bullpen, inking the veteran right-hander to a three year deal worth $22 million per ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick.

Madson is the second reliever of the day to sign after Darren O’Day went to the Baltimore Orioles earlier this morning.

The Royals took a flier on the right-hander last offseason after Madson hadn’t appeared in a major league game since 2011 with the Philadelphia Phillies.

He appeared in 68 games for the Royals last season, posting a 1-2 record with a 2.13 ERA. In 63.1 innings, he gave up just 47 hits and 14 walks while striking out 58. He became a huge part of the Royals bullpen once Greg Holland went down with an injury.

Madson struggled in the first two rounds of the playoffs, but pitched three shutout innings vs the New York Mets in the World Series and picked up a win.

Madson will give the A’s another late game option. He can set up closer Sean Doolittle, who battled injuries of his own last year, or, if Doolittle is hurt, Madson can close for Oakland.

The A’s also added to their bullpen from the left side this week when they acquired Mark Rzepczynski from the Padres.

With Madson and O’Day off the board look for the market on Joakim Soria and former A’s pitcher Tyler Clippard to heat up.