Report: Athletics agree to 1-year, $6.5M deal with Lucroy

The Oakland Athletics have added a two-time All-Star behind the plate.

Veteran catcher Jonathan Lucroy reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Athletics on Friday, sources told Jane Lee of MLB.com. The contract is reportedly worth $6.5 million and includes no incentives, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Lucroy was far and away the best catcher on the free-agent market this winter and has finally found a new home with less than three weeks to go before Opening Day. The 31-year-old is coming off a down season by his standards, hitting .265/.345/.371 with six home runs, 21 doubles, and just 51 strikeouts in 123 games split between the Texas Rangers and Colorado Rockies.

Oakland was one of the most logical landing spots for Lucroy as he will take over the starting role from Bruce Maxwell and try to build his value back up before entering free agency once again next winter. The addition of Lucroy should help with the A's young pitching staff, and they could also flip him at the deadline for future assets if Lucroy is productive and the team finds itself out of playoff contention.

The Athletics ranked 26th in OPS and 27th in home runs at the catching position last season.