A’s trade RHP Will Klein to Seattle for International Slot Money

The A's announced that they have traded RHP Will Klein to the Seattle Mariners for International Slot Money.

Jan 21, 2025, 2:41 PM

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On Tuesday afternoon, the A’s announced that they have traded right-handed reliever Will Klein to the Seattle Mariners for International Slot Money.

The roster moves come not long after they agreed to a one-year, $10-million deal with reliever Jose Leclerc and their 15 international player signings.

The following is via the A’s Press Release:

Will Klein was one of three players acquired from Kansas City in the Lucas Erceg trade on July 30, 2024. He made his Major League debut last year, pitching in five games for the Royals and three for the A’s.

The 25-year-old right-hander combined for an 11.05 ERA and .990 opponents OPS in eight games overall.

Klein spent the balance of the season at the Triple-A level and was a combined 2-2 with a minor league career-high nine saves, a 3.77 ERA and .645 opponents OPS in 38 relief appearances with Omaha (34 games) and Las Vegas (four games).

We’ve acquired RHP Will Klein from the Athletics in exchange for international slot money. He has been added to the 40-man roster.

🔗 https://t.co/7jL9CiB4Jr pic.twitter.com/iNcwgGNHLV

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) January 21, 2025

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The Athletics have agreed to terms with right-handed reliever Jose Leclerc, the team announced Friday. It’s their second offseason addition that aims to aid their pitching after signing starter Luis Severino in early December.

To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Jose Leclerc, the A’s designated right-handed pitcher Will Klein for assignment.

According to ESPN‘s Jeff Passan, it is a one-year deal worth $ 10 million.

Leclerc was 6-5 with a save, a 4.32 ERA and .671 opponents OPS in 64 relief appearances with Texas last year. He struck out 89 batters in 66.2 innings (12.02 per nine innings) and tied for 14th in the majors among relievers in strikeouts.

The 31-year-old right-hander had a career high in wins, and his games pitched, innings pitched and strikeouts were the second most of his career and his most since 2019. Leclerc held the opposition to a .227 batting average, including .193 against right-handed hitters, but walked 32 for a .323 on-base percentage.

Leclerc has pitched eight seasons in the majors, all with Texas, and is 12-20 with 41 saves and a 3.27 ERA in 350 career appearances. He has 473 strikeouts in 360.1 innings (11.81 per nine innings) and is the Rangers/Senators franchise record holder for most strikeouts by a reliever.

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