Lucroy signs with Oakland

The Oakland Athletics landed a new starting catcher, finalizing a $6.5 million, one-year contract with free agent Jonathan Lucroy.

The team announced the deal Monday, and Lucroy joined the spring camp at Mesa, Ariz.

The 31-year-old two-time all-star batted .265 with six home runs and 40 RBI in 123 games last season for Texas and Colorado, which acquired him on July 30.

Bruce Maxwell, the first major leaguer to kneel for the national anthem last year following NFL players’ leads, had been the projected starter before the acquisition of Lucroy.

Oakland designated left-hander Jairo Labourt for assignment to create roster space for Lucroy.

Lucroy played for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2010-’16.

Walker signs with Yankees: Free agent Neil Walker and the Yankees agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract, a 75% paycut for the infielder in a deal that allows New York prospects Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar more time to mature in the minor leagues.

Walker likely will start at second base and Brandon Drury, acquired from Arizona last month, will play third. Walker can make $1 million in performance bonuses: $125,000 each for 425, 450, 475 and 500 plate appearances.

Walker is among the victims of a historically slow free agent market. He earned $17.2 million last season, when he accepted a qualifying offer from the New York Mets. The 32-year-old hit .265 with 14 homers and 49 RBI last year for the Mets and Milwaukee Brewers, who acquired him Aug. 12.

An agreement with Walker at that price would raise the Yankees’ projected luxury tax payroll to approximately $181 million, about $16 million below the luxury tax threshold.

Twins sign Lynn: The Minnesota Twins finalized a $12 million, one-year contract with right-hander Lance Lynn, another low-risk move toward strengthening their pitching staff that ranked 19th in the major leagues in 2017 with a 4.59 ERA.

Lynn, 32, joined his new teammates on the field for an afternoon workout in Fort Myers, Fla., and will be introduced at a news conference Tuesday before taking the mound for an exhibition against Baltimore.

After missing the 2016 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Lynn went 11-8 with a 3.43 ERA in 33 starts for St. Louis in 2017 last year.