Oakland Athletics Sign Reliever Phil Coke To Minor League Deal

On Friday night, there was some speculation that southpaw Phil Coke had been signed by the Oakland Athletics to a minor league deal.

Keep in mind that the agreement has yet to be announced by the Athletics. There has been no mention of this on their official website or on their numerous social media accounts. However, CSN California confirmed this afternoon that the deal is in fact finalized, and Coke will report to Oakland’s Single-A affiliate in Stockton.

Coke, 32, attended San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif., which could be part of the reason why an eight-year major league veteran would accept such an assignment. After being drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2002 amateur player draft, Coke made his way to the show on September 1, 2008 for the Bronx Bombers as a reliever. There, he spent two seasons in pinstripes before moving on and compiling a 17-24 record with a 4.22 earned run average in 323 2/3 innings for the Detroit Tigers.

Known for being a lefty specialist, Coke has a respectable arsenal including a four-seam and cut fastball that are both in the high-90 range, a slider and an occasional change-up. The Sonora, Calif., native was designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs last month after posting a 6.30 ERA in 10 innings of relief. The Toronto Blue Jays even gave Coke an opportunity this season but he only pitched a total of 2 2/3 innings before being released.

Considering the inconsistency from the A’s bullpen, it comes to no surprise to see Billy Beane jump at the thought of having a pitcher of Coke’s stature on the ball club. With trade winds swirling around an Athletics organization who deems themselves as both buyers and sellers, it’s worth a shot to look at anyone and everyone as they search to find their identity moving forward.  

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