The Oakland Athletics and relief pitcher Pat Neshek have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $975,000, according to Jane Lee of MLB.com. It was his second time eligible for arbitration.

The 32-year-old silly-armed sidewinder has bounced around quite a bit during his career. He came up with the Twins in 2006 and saw action with them in four different seasons. He was claimed off waivers by the Padres in 2011, and he spent much of last season pitching in the International League for the Baltimore Orioles' triple-A affiliate. He was purchased by the A's on Aug. 3. He made 24 appearances for Oakland down the stretch, posting a scintillating 1.37 ERA and helping the team to the AL West crown.

Tragedy struck Neshek and his wife just before the playoffs began when their son, Gehrig, passed away soon after his birth. He pitched for the A's in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Tigers, pitching ⅔ of an inning and notching a strike out.