Report: Rosenthal's A's deal has unorthodox deferred payments

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Relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal reportedly agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with the A’s on Thursday.

But The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported, citing sources, that the structure for this contract would be a little different than what we're used to.

Per Rosenthal, the $11 million will be deferred over three years: $3 million in 2021 and ‘2022 and $5 million in 2023.

It sounds like a similar construction to what former A’s shortstop Marcus Semien reportedly was offered this offseason by Oakland. The A's reportedly presented Semien with a one-year, $12 million deal, with $10 million of that deferred into 10, one-year, $1 million payments.

Semien ended up signing an $18 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays and will now switch to playing second base. 

It’s a bizarre way to pay the players, and is likely due to the A's trying to save money on their 2021 payroll. But it appears to be what Rosenthal is comfortable with, and he’s coming off a strong season to prove it.

The 2015 All-Star will instantly be in the mix for the closer role, along with leading incumbent candidate Jake Diekman.

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Last season with the Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres, Rosenthal boasted a 1.90 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. 

He’s also no stranger to the green and gold. After the reported agreement, he posted a throwback photo of him wearing A’s garb on Twitter.

Appears it was meant to be.
 

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