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A's discussing reunion with Treinen; Dodgers reportedly interested

Abbie Parr / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Blake Treinen hasn't been a free agent for very long, but he's already garnering interest - including from one familiar team.

Although the Oakland Athletics non-tendered Treinen earlier this week, general manager David Forst revealed Thursday he's having discussions with the reliever about re-signing in Oakland, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

With Treinen's arbitration salary for 2020 projected at $7.8 million despite last season's drop in performance, the A's elected to non-tender the former All-Star after reportedly attempting to trade him before Monday's deadline. Should he return to Oakland, he would presumably sign for a smaller salary than his arbitration projection.

The A's aren't the only California club eyeing Treinen; the 31-year-old is receiving interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers, a source told Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times.

In L.A., Treinen could provide manager Dave Roberts with additional firepower and insurance behind closer Kenley Jansen, who struggled at times in 2019. Treinen might also be an ideal fit in a set-up role alongside Pedro Baez, bumping Joe Kelly - who disappointed in his first year with the Dodgers - further down on the bullpen ladder.

Treinen would potentially come cheaper than other available relievers, leaving the Dodgers plenty of financial wiggle room in free agency. Los Angeles has been linked to some of the biggest available names this winter, including Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole, and Anthony Rendon.

It's unclear if Treinen and the Dodgers have actually spoken since he became a free agent.

Treinen had a breakout season with the A's in 2018, posting a 0.78 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 100 strikeouts and 38 saves en route to a sixth-place finish in AL Cy Young voting.

But he fell back to earth this past season, posting an inflated 4.91 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 57 outings. Treinen's struggles led the A's to hand closing duties to Liam Hendriks midseason, and he didn't pitch in Oakland's wild-card loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

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