LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Athletics reached agreement on Wednesday afternoon on a two-year contract with free-agent left-handed Alan Embree.

Putting Embree in the bullpen could open the door for left-hander Joe Kennedy to move into Barry Zito's spot in the rotation. Zito is a free agent.

Embree, 36, has pitched for eight organizations during his 13-year career, and this past season was one of his best. He had a 4-3 record and 3.27 ERA in 73 relief appearances for the San Diego Padres.