Major League Baseball

Doolittle's 5-year contract with A's worth $10.5M

Published Apr. 21, 2014 9:38 p.m. ET

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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Left-hander Sean Doolittle's five-year contract with the Oakland Athletics is worth $10.5 million, and the deal would increase to $13.75 million if he becomes eligible for salary arbitration after this season.

The reliever receives a $150,000 signing bonus under the deal announced Friday. Doolittle will get salaries of $600,000 this season, $750,000 in 2015, $1.55 million in 2016, $2.6 million in 2017 and $4.35 million in 2018. The A's have a $6 million club option for 2019 with a $500,000 buyout and if that is exercised, they would have a $6.5 million club option for 2020. With a $500,000 buyout.

If Doolittle is eligible for arbitration after this season, his salaries would increase to $1.4 million in 2015, $2.45 million in 2016, $3.65 million in 2017 and $5 million in 2018.

Doolittle also has escalators in the deal based on games finished. In addition, if he finishes a combined 100 games in 2018-19, the option becomes mutual.

The 27-year-old left-hander has been a reliable member of Oakland's talented bullpen since converting from first base late in the 2011 season.

He has aspirations of becoming the club's regular closer, and is handling some ninth-inning duties this season as manager Bob Melvin goes with a bullpen by committee after the early struggles of 2013 AL saves leader Jim Johnson. Doolittle is 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA with one save in nine appearances.

He hasn't issued a walk in 10 innings, the most innings among major league relievers who haven't allowed a free pass.

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported some financial details of Doolittle's deal.

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AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.

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