Mets sign Alejandro De Aza to one-year deal

The New York Mets have signed outfielder Alejandro De Aza to a one-year deal worth $4.5 million.

The New York Mets have signed outfielder Alejandro De Aza to a one-year deal worth $4.5 million, the team announced.

The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Buster Olney.

De Aza, 31, is coming off a season in which he hit .262 with seven home runs and 35 RBIs in 114 games for the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants. All seven of De Aza’s home runs in 2015 came against right-handed pitching. 

He is expected to compete with Juan Lagares in center field.

De Aza's contract includes $250,000 bonuses for reaching each of 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600 plate appearances, according to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post.

The National League champion Mets were also considering Denard Span, Will Venable and Gerardo Parra as outfield candidates for next season.

• KENNEDY: Do stats tell the full story of Shelby Miller’s odd 2015 season?

De Aza will enter his ninth MLB season in 2016.

- Christopher Chavez