Athletics bolster bullpen by signing veteran reliever Barlow

Before next week's spring training report for pitchers and catchers, the Athletics keep strengthening their bullpen with seasoned pitchers. As reported by MLB.com, the team has agreed to a one-year contract with right-hander Scott Barlow, but the organization has not formally confirmed the deal.

The 33-year-old Barlow spent last season with the Cincinnati Reds, pitching 68.1 innings with a 4.21 ERA, striking out 75 batters while issuing 45 walks. His 75 appearances set a career high and ranked seventh in the major leagues. He showed reliability with runners on base, successfully preventing 30 of 39 inherited runners from scoring.

The Athletics plan to start the new season with a "committee" approach for the closer role, and Barlow clearly brings relevant ninth-inning experience, having amassed 59 career saves. This pitcher, with eight years of major league experience, has played for the Reds, Padres, Royals, and Guardians. He holds a career ERA of 3.60 and has demonstrated effectiveness against both right- and left-handed hitters: righties have an OPS of just 0.628 against him, while lefties hold an OPS of 0.714.

Last December, the Athletics signed veteran Mark Leiter Jr. to a one-year contract. Leiter and Barlow are expected to join the team’s bullpen alongside pitchers Elvis Alvarado, Tyler Ferguson, and Michael Kelly, who all recorded multiple closing appearances for the Athletics in 2025.

Barlow’s repertoire includes a fastball clocked at 92-93 mph and a slider that serves as his primary strikeout pitch. Last season, pitching at the hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, he actually performed better at home (38 appearances, 3.47 ERA) than on the road (37 appearances, 5.06 ERA).

Barlow’s success largely stems from his ability to limit hard contact: last season, his average exit velocity allowed (86.2 mph) ranked in the 96th percentile among MLB pitchers, and his hard-hit rate (30.5%) was in the 99th percentile. These skills should help him maintain his pitching value after moving to another hitter-friendly park—Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.