The Oakland Athletics have reached an agreement with right-handed pitcher Scott Barlow, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. The contract is a one-year deal guaranteed for $2 million, with potential performance bonuses totaling $1.3 million. Since the Athletics currently have a full 40-man roster, they will need to make a corresponding move to finalize the signing.
Scott Barlow’s Pitching Profile and Recent Performance
At 33 years old, Scott Barlow brings experience as a reliable setup reliever. While he tends to issue a high number of walks, he still provides value by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, and limiting damage late in games. Notably durable, Barlow has never been placed on the major league injured list during his career.
Over the past three seasons, Barlow has pitched 191⅓ innings across stints with the Royals, Padres, Guardians, and Reds. He has posted a 4.28 ERA and walked 13% of batters faced, which is considered quite high. However, he counters this with a strong strikeout rate of 26.3% and a ground-ball rate of 44.1%. Statcast data ranks his average exit velocity and hard-hit rate in the 90th percentile or better over these seasons. Barlow combined for 16 saves and 42 holds in that timeframe and primarily relies on his sweeping breaking ball, complemented by a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball, and sinker.
Pitching Challenges and Roster Context for the Athletics
The Athletics have been focused on rebuilding, especially developing position players, but their pitching staff still faces significant challenges. Last year, the team posted a collective 4.71 ERA, ranking ahead of only the Angels, Nationals, and Rockies. Factors such as playing in the hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park have contributed, but a clear need exists for better pitching performance.
So far this offseason, the Athletics have been relatively quiet in adding new pitchers. This may be influenced by the park’s reputation or a strategic focus on extending their young core. Aside from signing Mark Leiter Jr. to a one-year, $2.85 million contract, their investment in pitching upgrades remains under $5 million, indicating cautious movement.
Outlook for the Athletics’ New and Returning Bullpen Arms
Scott Barlow and Mark Leiter Jr. currently stand as the most experienced arms in the Athletics’ bullpen, while promising young pitchers such as Hogan Harris, Justin Sterner, Elvis Alvarado, Brady Basso, Mitch Spence, and Grant Holman are expected to compete for roles. This blend of veteran presence and youth aims to strengthen a pitching staff that must improve to support the club’s rebuilding efforts.
Photo courtesy of Frank Bowen IV, Imagn Images
Source: Free-agent reliever Scott Barlow and the A’s are in agreement on a one-year, $2 million contract that includes $1.3 million in performance bonuses.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 6, 2026
