OAKLAND, Calif. -- Outfielder Jake Smolinski agreed to a $775,000, one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics.
Smolinski missed almost the entire season following right shoulder surgery before returning to play in 16 games, including 11 in the outfield -- nine of those in center -- that manager Bob Melvin considered a major step heading into the offseason and toward 2018.
He will have competition to earn a starting spot next season, with rehabbing Dustin Fowler in the mix to start at center after he was acquired in the trade that sent Sonny Gray to the Yankees.