The Mets have added some infield depth, signing veteran Jed Lowrie to a two-year deal worth $20 million, a source confirmed Thursday evening.
Lowrie, 34, has played 11 MLB seasons, the last three with the Oakland A's. He has a .262 average and .335 on-base percentage with 104 home runs and 509 RBIs in 1,109 games.
Lowrie was an All-Star last season in Oakland. He hit .267 with a .353 OBP and career-highs in home runs (23) and RBIs (99) in 157 games.
Predominantly a second baseman, Lowrie played 136 games there last season and 14 at third base. But he's played the most games (508) at shortstop in his career.
Earlier in the day, the Mets announced the signing of seven-year veteran Luis Avilan to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Avilan, 29, pitched for the White Sox and Phillies last season, going 2-1 with two saves and 3.77 earned run average over 45 1/3 innings. He totaled 51 strikeouts in 70 appearances.
Avilan has held left-handed batters to a .213 batting average in his career, which included stops with the Braves and Dodgers. He has a 19-10 career record with two saves and a 3.09 ERA in 399 appearances.
"Luis is a left-handed quality major-league reliever who addresses another offseason priority," Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. "We are pleased to see these types of proven players want to be a part of what we are trying to build."
With Jerry Blevins a free agent and likely headed elsewhere, Daniel Zamora is the only left-handed specialist on the 40-man roster. The Mets earlier this week signed 31-year-old left-hander Hector Santiago to a similar minor-league deal with an invite to spring training.
