Athletics signed RHP Jeremy McBryde to a minor league contract.
The Athletics continue to bolster their organizational bullpen depth with another potential impact arm. The 26-year-old logged 61 1/3 innings at Double-A San Antonio in 2013, netting 15 saves while posting a stellar 2.35 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 73/15 K/BB ratio. It seems likely that he could work his way into the bullpen mix at some point during 2014
Athletics signed RHP Deryk Hooker to a minor league contract.
The 24-year-old spent the first seven years of his career in the Cardinals organization, most recently compiling a 4.12 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 75/18 K/BB ratio over 67 2/3 innings between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis in 2013. He'll serve as organizational depth for the A's.
Athletics signed RHP Jose Flores to a minor league contract.
The 24-year-old hurler pitched very well for Cleveland's Double-A affiliate in Akron in 2013, posting a 2.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 87/27 K/BB ratio over 66 1/3 innings. Don't be surprised if he manages to crack the A's bullpen at some point during the 2014 season.
Athletics prospect Jeremy Barfield has continued this offseason to make the transition to pitching.
The 25-year-old outfielder, and son of former major leaguer Jesse Barfield, began the transition halfway through the 2013 season. He worked in the instructional league then pitched a handful of games in the Dominican Winter League, and is now working at the team's facility in Arizona. The A's are hoping that the hard-throwing lefty can replicate the successful transition that Sean Doolittle has made, now one of the premiere relievers in the league.