The Oakland A’s exercised their 2019 club option on relief pitcher Fernando Rodney, the team announced Wednesday. The right-hander is now officially under contract for next season.
The value of the option is listed at $4.25 million, which is the same base salary Rodney received this past summer. However, insider Jane Lee says it will actually cost $5.25 million, as the 41-year-old satisfied some performance bonuses in 2018.
The A’s acquired Rodney in early August, as part of a larger plan to stack their bullpen after their starting rotation fell apart. He had served as the Twins closer for most of the year (25-of-31 in saves), but in Oakland he generally pitched in the 7th and 8th innings in a setup role.