Pat Neshek signs one-year deal with A's, avoiding arbitration

The Oakland A's have signed their first arbitration-eligible player of the offseason, righty reliever Pat Neshek. The contract is a one-year deal and terms have not been disclosed.

Neshek, 32, came over to Oakland from the Orioles in an August 3 trade. The veteran, who had previous stops in Minnesota and San Diego, was a crucial part of an A's bullpen that helped them win the AL West. Primarily used in the seventh inning, Neshek pitched 19 and 2/3 innings and had an ERA of 1.37, compiling 16 strikeouts and just six walks. He appeared in just one postseason game, recording two outs -- one via strikeout.

A sixth-round draft pick, Neshek was drafted by the Twins in 2002. He appeared in 132 games for them from 2006-2010 and was waived following the 2010 season.

The A's have six arbitration-eligible players remaining: 1B Daric Barton, OF Seth Smith, C George Kottaras, 1B Brandon Moss, SS Adam Rosales and RP Jerry Blevins.