Free agent infielder Jed Lowrie agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal with the New York Mets on Thursday; adding depth to a team that faces stiff competition in the National League East.
Lowrie, 34, had the best year of his career last season. He compiled 23 home runs, 99 RBIs and 78 walks to steer off the Oakland Athletics to the playoffs. An All-Star player, Lowrie has made 265 starts for the A’s in the last two seasons. He plays second base—the same position as Robinson Cano, the other phenomenal player the Mets acquired from the Mariners last month.
The 34-year-old may not have to compete for a position with Cano though. He’s played 480 career games as a shortstop and 111 at the third base. However, with two of the Mets’ infielders being 23-year-old each, Lowrie will likely be a starter at second base alongside Cano.
With Lowrie onboard, new GM Brodie Van Wagenen continues to solidify a roster he feels will be able to competitively fight for a position in the playoffs. The GM, a former player, already signed Cano, Edwin Diaz, Wilson Ramos, Ruis Avilan, Jeurys Familia and now Lowrie—his former client as an agent.
