The A's announced that they have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with a vesting option on 2015 with infielder Nick Punto. Punto's deal is for $2.75MM in 2014 and he'll have the opportunity to earn the same amount the following year, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). The option is based on days spent on the disabled list and comes with a $250K buyout if it's not exercised.
Athletics assistant GM David Forst tells Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter) that the signing has nothing to do with Jed Lowrie and insisted that he is still the club's starting shortstop. Forst added (Twitter links) that if Punto's option does not vest, it turns into a club option. Forst also disclosed that the option vests if Punto spends less than 30 days on the disabled list, but there are other ways that he can get the option to trigger if he exceeds that number.
The 36-year-old Punto offers experience at second base, shortstop, and third base. In 116 games last season, the veteran hit .255/.328/.327 in 116 games for the Dodgers last season. Across 13 big league seasons, Punto owns a .248..325/.325 batting line while offering quality defense in the infield.
Punto is represented by Jeff Caulfield, according to the MLBTR Agency Database.
