Athletics, RHP Brad Ziegler agree to $1.25M deal

OAKLAND, CALIF. (AP) —The Oakland Athletics and reliever Brad Ziegler(notes) have agreed to a $1.25 million, one-year contract that avoids salary arbitration.

The A’s announced the deal Saturday.

Ziegler went 3-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 64 relief appearances with Oakland last year, when he made $410,000. He held the opposition to a .241 batting average, including .213 against right-handed hitters.

The 31-year-old right-hander has a 2.51 ERA and 18 saves in 180 relief appearances over three seasons with the A’s.

Oakland has five remaining players eligible for arbitration: Dallas Braden(notes), Craig Breslow(notes), Conor Jackson(notes), Kevin Kouzmanoff(notes) and Josh Willingham(notes).

Ziegler intends to use some of the money to fund his “Pastime for Patriots” not-for-profit.