Nick Punto has agreed to a one-year deal with the A’s, according to Jane Lee of MLB.com.
Lee reports that the contract also includes an option for 2015, so the 36-year-old might stick around in Oakland for a couple seasons.
Punto has played for four teams in the past four seasons, hitting .247 with a .658 OPS in 354 games over that span. Good plate discipline keeps him from being a total non-factor offensively and Punto remains a standout defensive infielder into his mid-30s. Toss in switch-hitting, good speed, and a reputation for being a plus in the clubhouse and he’s an ideal utility man.
UPDATE: Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports reports that Punto will get $2.75 million for 2014 and has a $2.75 million vesting option or a $250,000 buyout for 2015, so it’s officially a one-year, $3 million deal.
