The Oakland Athletics cleared their arbitration calendar with a multi-year deal for Michael Wuertz:

The right-hander will earn $2.2 million this year, $2.8 million next year, and the A’s hold a $3.5 million option for 2012, with a buyout of $250,000.

That option year covers what would have been Wuertz’s first year of free agency, which really appealed to the A’s after Wuertz’s 2.63 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 782/3 innings in 2009.

“He is very consistent,” Oakland assistant general manager David Forst said. “He very quickly made Bob (Geren, the A’s manager) feel comfortable using him late in games. He’s the same guy no matter where he pitches.”

He is indeed very consistent across his splits. The bottom line, however, is that he’s tough to hit, tough to get on base against, and he makes it tough for hitters to generate power.