Reliever Shawn Kelley agrees to 1-year deal with Rangers

The Texas Rangers have reportedly signed free-agent reliever Shawn Kelley to a one-year deal according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. 

Kelley will receive a $2.5 million base and another $500,000 possible in incentives. He also has a $2.5 million club option for 2020 with a $250,000 buyout. The Rangers have not confirmed the deal, but Kelley has passed his physical.

Kelley split last season between the Washington Nationals and Oakland Athletics, totaling a 2.94 ERA in 49 innings.

The 34-year-old has played for five different teams during his 10-year major league career, but he looked as good as ever over the past two months of last season.

After being traded to Oakland for international slot money at the start of August, the right-hander posted a 2.16 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in 19 appearances. He also pitched a scoreless inning against the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card Game, which the Athletics lost 7-2. His vast experience could make him a useful addition to a Rangers staff that ranked 28th in the majors last season with a 4.92 ERA, per ESPN.

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Kelley could handle the mid-to-late innings ahead of closer Jose Leclerc, who took over the role midway through last season.

Although Texas finished last in the American League West last season with a 67-95 record, an improved bullpen could help the squad climb up the standings.

Kelley is the second addition to the bullpen for the Rangers, who have been among the busiest teams in free agency, signing reliever Jesse Chavez, as well as starters Lance Lynn and Shelby Miller, infielder Asdrubal Cabrera and catcher Jeff Mathis. He has been used primarily as a setup reliever in his career and he has logged 443 Major League games, all in relief, with 15 career saves. A 10-year veteran, Kelley has a career 3.67 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP while averaging 7.7 hits, 2.8 walks and 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

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