Source say Oakland A’s in agreement with Jace Peterson

The Oakland A’s have bolstered their infield during the MLB Winter Meetings, signing utilityman Jace Peterson to a two-year deal.

Free-agent utilityman Jace Peterson and the Oakland A’s are in agreement on a two-year contract, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the deal. Peterson, 32, drew interest from several other teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, sources say.

What can Jace Peterson give the Oakland A’s?

Peterson’s defensive versatility was intriguing to teams — he can play second base, third base and the corner outfields — and he’s a natural replacement for Chad Pinder, who is unsigned and expected to leave the A’s in free agency.

It gets the A’s on the board and will likely continue a trend of small, low average-annual value signings. In 112 games with the Brewers last season, he hit .236/.316/.382 with eight home runs, 34 RBI and a .698 OPS. In his nine-year career, he’s hitting .231/.321/.343 with 36 home runs, 207 RBI and a .664 OPS.