A's Non-Tender Reliever Blake Treinen After Disappointing 2019 Season
By Michael Luciano
If anyone wants an elite reliever that had a sub-1.00 ERA two years ago, he's up for grabs.
After failing to follow up his historically dominant 2018 with a satisfactory 2019, 31-year-old reliever Blake Treinen has been non-tendered by the Oakland Athletics.
Source confirms: Blake Treinen non-tendered by #Athletics. First reported: @JeffPassan.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 3, 2019
Originally drafted by the A's and traded to the Washington Nationals, Treinen was traded back to Oakland in 2017 along with top prospect Jesus Luzardo to bring Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson to DC.
After an excellent first campaign, Treinen exploded in 2018, posting a 0.78 ERA, giving up just seven runs all year while walking just 21 and striking out 100 in 80 innings. Most of this was accomplished on the back of his signature pitch, a turbo sinker that can reach 100 MPH.
2019 was a much different story, as he struggled with control and posted a 4.91 ERA, which ultimately forced Oakland's hand and accelerated his departure.
Reliever Blake Treinen has been non-tendered by the Oakland A's, a source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 3, 2019
Treinen was the most dominant reliever in baseball a year ago, and has been tossed aside just one year later. Treinen instantly becomes the most high-upside reclamation project on the free agent market.