The Athetics non-tendered RHP Blake Treinen on Monday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
On Friday, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that the A's were listening to offers on the 31-year-old reliever, and that the Yankees were one of the teams inquiring about him. The Yankees were one of several teams approached by the A's regarding Treinen, but Oakland was unable to find a trade partner, according to SNY's Andy Martino.
The previously arbitration-eligible Treinen will now cost the Yankees only money should they stil be interested in acquiring him.
Treinen was an All-Star closer for the A's in 2018, dominating opposing hitters to the tune of a 9-2 record, a career-high 38 saves and held opposing hitters to a .158 batting average. The right-hander finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting and 15th in AL Most Valuable Player voting.
But 2019 was a down year for Treinen, who recorded 16 saves, striking out 59 batters and walking 37 in 58 2/3 innings. He was awarded $6.6 million after winning his arbitration case for the 2019 season, and was projected to make $7.8 million in 2020, his final arbitration season, according to Spotrac.com.
If the Yankees sign Treinen and he can return to the same form of 2018, that would add yet another weapon to an already-loaded Yankees bullpen.