Oakland gets reliever Familia from Mets

OAKLAND, Calif. — After three years of missing the playoffs and dealing away fan favorites like Yoenis Cespedes, Josh Donaldson and Sonny Gray, the Oakland Athletics are trying to steer themselves in the opposite direction.

They certainly took a significant step Saturday by acquiring New York Mets reliever Jeurys Familia to bolster a bullpen that includes All-Star closer Blake Treinen.

“You always want to be in this position where you’re potentially adding,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “We’ve had three years where it’s been just the opposite. Three weeks ago. maybe this isn’t a conversation but the way the team’s played in the last month put us in a position to be able to do something like this.”

Traditionally sellers at the deadline, the A’s overcame a slow start and are in the midst of the wild card picture in the American League. They went into Saturday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants having won 21 of 28 since June 16, tied with the Boston Red Sox for the best record in the majors during that stretch.

An All-Star in 2016, Familia was 4-4 with a 2.88 ERA and 17 saves in 21 chances with the Mets this season. The 28-year-old righthander struck out 43 and walked 14 in 40 appearances covering 40 2/3 innings.

Although the right-hander can become a free agent after this season, the A’s didn’t shy away from making the move in hopes of enhancing their playoff prospects this year.

There were reports that the two sides were close to a deal late Friday night. Familia was at Yankee Stadium on Saturday morning but left before the start of the Mets’ 7-6 loss.

“We thought he was the best guy out there,” Oakland general manager David Forst said. “Adding a reliever right now was the best option and we thought Jeurys was the best guy. We’ve been talking to the Mets for a while, and we’re happy that it came together.”

The move is a distinct change from what the A’s have done in recent years.

In the midst of a playoff run in 2014, Oakland shipped the popular Cespedes to Boston in exchange for pitcher Jon Lester. It was a move meant to strengthen Oakland’s rotation but had mixed results: The A’s made it to the playoffs but lost in the wildcard round while Lester had mixed results and signed with the Cubs in the offseason.