OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics shored up their bullpen Friday, acquiring setup man Jim Mecir and a minor leaguer from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for two minor leaguers.

	Mecir

The Athletics, who also acquired Triple-A left-hander Todd Belitz, sent right-hander Jesus Colome -- one of their top prospects -- and a player to be named to Tampa Bay.

"We felt the need to improve our bullpen," A's general manager Billy Beane said. "In the case of Jim Mecir, he's someone we've had our eye on for quite some time."

Mecir will join Jeff Tam as the main setup men for All-Star closer Jason Isringhausen. The A's started the day three games behind Seattle in the AL West and in the wild-card lead.

Mecir was taken aback by the trade, but encouraged by the A's chances. "I just think it's a disruption in your life," Mecir said. "I think it's great that I'm going to a team that's in the race. Any time you make a move after being in one spot it's a little nerve-racking."

Mecir, a sidearming right-hander, has been one of the most effective middle relievers in the American League this season. He was 7-2 with one save and a 3.08 ERA in 38 games for the Devil Rays.

He has stranded 19 of 21 inherited runners -- the best ratio in the AL -- and opponents are batting .201 against him, fifth among AL relievers. He holds lefties to a .205 average.

"I think after being here for three years, I love playing here and I love the guys on the team, so yeah, I would like to have stayed here and seen it through," Mecir said.

Beane said he wanted to make a deal that would be good for the A's of the present as well as the future. Mecir is eligible for arbitration at the end of the year.

"If you look at some of our wins it was starter, Tam, Isringhausen; starter, Tam, Isringhausen," Beane said. "We needed to get to a point where there were more options."

Beane admitted, however, that giving up Colome stung. Colome spent this season at Double-A Midland where he was 9-4 with a 3.59 ERA in 20 starts. He was signed by the A's as a non-drafted free agent in 1996 out of the Dominican Republic.

"We've got to put some stock into this season," he said. "It wouldn't be fair to the players here now."

Belitz has spent the season with Triple-A Durham where he is 1-1 with two saves and a 3.83 ERA in 43 appearances. He has allowed just one home run in 47 innings.