Athletics to sign former Yankees, Phillies reliever with strong family presence in MLB
At the MLB trade deadline, the A’s traded away Mason Miller to the San Diego Padres, leaving a huge hole in the bullpen. This winter, the A’s are planning to fill that hole.
The Athletics aren’t likely to be big spenders this offseason, but they still plan to add some talent and bolster their payroll for the 2026 season.
At the MLB trade deadline, the A’s traded away Mason Miller to the San Diego Padres, leaving a huge hole in the bullpen. This winter, the A’s are planning to fill that hole.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Athletics have signed a former Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees reliever to a new deal. This new pitcher, Mark Leiter Jr., is part of an incredible Leiter-family presence in MLB over the years.
Athletics sign former Phillies, Yankees reliever to free agent deal
“Free-agent reliever Mark Leiter Jr. in agreement with Athletics, source tells @TheAthletic,” Rosenthal reports.
Leiter was most recently pitching for the Yankees, where he had a 4.84 ERA in 59 games during the 2025 season for New York. He struck out 54 batters and walked 17 in 48.1 innings during this past season.
After spending 2.5 years with the Chicago Cubs, Leiter was dealt to the Yankees in 2024, and while he had a 4.98 ERA in 21 games during the regular season, in the postseason, Leiter posted an impressive 1.69 ERA in six appearances across 5.1 innings pitched.
More: Athletics could shock everyone by signing this top arm in free agency, per ESPN insider
He’s 34 years old and will be entering his seventh MLB season in 2026 when he suits up for the Athletics. He debuted with the Phillies in 2017, then went to the Toronto Blue Jays for just eight games before missing the entire 2019 season due to injury.
Two and a half years in Chicago were followed by the last year and a half with the Yankees. Now, Leiter, son of Mark Leiter, nephew of Al Leiter, and cousin of Jack Leiter, is joining the Athletics as he heads out to the West Coast for the first time as a Major Leaguer.
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