There were a bevy of free agent signings in baseball on Thursday. The most notable would have to be three-time All-Star Daniel Murphy agreeing to play for the Colorado Rockies. That signing likely means that free agent DJ LeMahieu will move on from Colorado since they both play second base.

Here are a couple signings that were a bit more under the radar than Murphy, but could play a huge role in helping their respective new teams reach the postseason in 2019. These two pitchers that signed with new teams on Thursday had much success in 2018 and will look to do much the same in the upcoming season.

Joakim Soria reaches two-year agreement with Oakland

The Oakland Athletics have agreed to a two-year deal worth $15 million to bring on Joakim Soria according to MLB Trade Rumors. He will likely be used in high-leverage situations (perhaps in the seventh and eighth innings). The two-time All-Star (back in 2008 and 2010) will turn 35 on May 18.

In what was his 11th year of pitching in the big leagues, 2018 was one of Soria’s better seasons in recent memory. The right-handed reliever pitched 60.2 innings this past season with the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers and recorded a 3.12 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. His 75 strikeouts on the year means he punched out well more than one hitter per inning and he had 16 saves (all with the White Sox).

Soria spent much of the beginning of his career as the Kansas City Royals’ closer as he has amassed 220 saves. In 634.1 career innings, he owns a 2.88 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 688 strikeouts.

Anibal Sanchez inks with Nationals for two years

After a rough few seasons pitching with the Detroit Tigers, Anibal Sanchez bounced back with a strong 2018 season with the Atlanta Braves.

He was rewarded by the Washington Nationals with a two-year deal that will be worth $19 million according to MLB Trade Rumors.

In 25 games pitched (24 starts) with Atlanta in 2018, the 34-year-old (turns 35 on February 27) Sanchez ended the year with a 7-6 record and a solid 2.83 ERA. He had an impressive 1.08 WHIP on the season and struck 135 hitters in 136.2 innings.

That is a huge step forward from his 2015-17 seasons with Detroit. During those three seasons, the right-hander appeared in 88 games (68 starts) and pitched to a 20-30 record and 5.67 ERA.

The Venezuelan led the American League with his 2.57 ERA in 2013. For his career, he is 97-100 with a 3.99 ERA in 309 games pitched (286 starts).
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