The Oakland A’s have declined Jake Diekman’s contract option, the team announced. The two sides had a $5.75 million mutual option, but instead the relief pitcher will get a $500K buyout and become a free agent.
Oakland acquired Diekman a few days before the July trade deadline, in a swap from the Kansas City Royals. The lefty was supposed to help shore up the club’s bullpen for the stretch run as they contended for a postseason spot, and in a way he did — he converted 13 holds without ever technically blowing one (though he did earn one loss).