The next chapter of Chris Smith’s long and winding baseball career will unfold outside of Oakland.
The pitcher was outrighted off the A’s 40-man roster and chose to become a free agent.
Smith’s stats in an A’s uniform won’t jump off the page, but the 36-year-old journeyman made an impact over his two years in the organization, serving as an example of perseverance and positive energy for the much younger pitchers on the staff.
He spent six years away from the majors before catching on with the A’s in 2016 and appearing in 13 games out of the bullpen.