The Oakland A’s have added a veteran arm to their bullpen mix, agreeing to a one-year deal with right-hander Scott Barlow worth $2 million in guaranteed money, with the potential for another $1.3 million in performance bonuses. With the 40-man roster currently full, the A’s will need to make a corresponding move to finalize the signing.
At 33, Barlow is a known commodity in big-league bullpens. He’s not without his flaws - the walk rate has been a persistent issue - but he brings a blend of durability, swing-and-miss stuff, and ground-ball ability that makes him a valuable late-inning option. Over the last three seasons, Barlow has logged 191 1/3 innings across stints with the Royals, Padres, Guardians, and Reds, posting a 4.28 ERA during that span.
The walk rate jumps off the page - 13% of batters faced reached via free pass - but Barlow countered that with a strong 26.3% strikeout rate and a 44.1% ground-ball rate. That’s a profile that can play in high-leverage spots, especially when you consider the kind of contact he’s allowing.
Statcast data backs it up: Barlow has ranked in the 90th percentile or better in both average exit velocity and hard-hit rate in each of the last three seasons. Translation: hitters might get the ball in play, but they’re not squaring him up often.
He’s also shown he can handle pressure. Over that three-year stretch, Barlow racked up 16 saves and 42 holds - a testament to his ability to pitch in tight spots late in games.
His pitch mix is led by a sweeper that he leans on heavily, but he’s got a full arsenal at his disposal, including a four-seamer, slider, curveball, and sinker. That versatility gives him options depending on the matchup, and it’s part of what’s kept him effective even as his command has wavered.
For the A’s, this is a low-risk move with the potential for solid upside. The bullpen - and the pitching staff as a whole - remains a work in progress.
Last season, Oakland’s staff posted a 4.71 ERA, better than only the Angels, Nationals, and Rockies. That number is a bit inflated by the hitter-friendly environment at Sutter Health Park, but even accounting for that, there’s clearly room to grow.
The front office hasn’t been especially aggressive in addressing the pitching side this offseason, which makes the Barlow signing one of just a few notable moves in that department. The only other addition of significance has been righty Mark Leiter Jr., who also signed a one-year deal for $2.85 million. All told, the A’s have committed less than $5 million to pitching upgrades this winter - a modest investment, especially for a team still trying to piece together a reliable staff.
Still, bringing in a veteran like Barlow gives Oakland another option in the late innings, and perhaps more importantly, a steady presence in a bullpen that could use one. He’s not a flashy signing, but he’s the kind of arm that can quietly stabilize a unit and help bridge the gap while younger arms continue to develop. If he performs to his potential, the A’s could even flip him at the deadline for more long-term pieces - a common play for rebuilding teams.
For now, Barlow slots in as a likely setup man, perhaps even a ninth-inning option depending on how the rest of the bullpen shakes out. Either way, the A’s are getting a proven, durable reliever who knows how to navigate big-league lineups - and that’s a valuable commodity, especially for a team still searching for consistency on the mound.