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The Oakland Athletics have acquired veteran relief pitcher Chris Resop in exchange for minor league pitcher Zach Thornton. The A's announced the deal on Friday afternoon.
Resop, 30, has spent the last two years with the Pirates. He posted a 3.91 ERA over the course of 73 2/3 innings this past season. Assuming he makes the Athletics roster out of spring training, Resop could be a valuable middle-inning reliever for the club. The veteran reliever works primarily off his fastball, which sits in the low 90s. Resop also works in a curveball and changeup, especially against left-handed batters.
Thornton spent the 2012 season at Single-A Stockton where he was 4-0 with 16 saves and a 4.53 ERA in 48 relief appearances. He allowed a .264 opponents batting average and struck out 70 while walking 19 in 53.2 innings. The 24-year-old right-hander was originally selected by Oakland in the 23rd round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.