Oakland A’s, Ryan Madson agree on 3 year deal, per report

Madson gradually worked his fastball back up to 96 miles per hour last season and paired it with an excellent changeup.

The A’s also added to their bullpen from the left side this week when they acquired Mark Rzepczynski from the Padres. Their relievers finished 19th in ERA and 20th in opponent batting average against previous year, so finding a bridge from the starters to closer Kenley Jansen is a priority for Los Angeles’ front office.

35-year-old Ryan Madson remarkable career resurgence took another turn today when he agreed to a three-year deal for $22 million dollars with the Oakland A’s. This year marked his first in the American League following nine seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Forst, manager Bob Melvin and the rest of the front office crew were flying to Nashville Sunday in advance of the start of the winter meetings.

Madson, 35, is coming off a 2015 season in which he pitched to a 2.13 ERA and 4.14 K/BB ratio in 63 1/3 innings for the world champion Royals. “There’s going to be plenty of conversation unfolding over the next 10 days”.

The A’s spent aggressively to land him, as Madson was expected to command a three-year deal more in the $15 million range. However, if Doolittle – who suffered his own injury issues last season – is unable to perform in 2016, Madson provides some insurance at the back-end of the A’s bullpen.

Not only did Madson put up big numbers for the Royals in 2015, he threw in 68 games, his best total since 2009.

Madson ultimately made the Royals’ roster as a non-roster invitee and thrived.