A's acquire Ike Davis to play 1st base

The A’s filled their second key position in five days on Sunday, acquiring first baseman Ike Davis and international bonus slot 86 from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for international bonus slot 27.

Oakland, which lost in the American League wild-card game to Kansas City, signed designated hitter Billy Butler to a $30 million, three-year contract Wednesday.

Davis, 27, began last season with the New York Mets and batted .208 with a home run and five RBIs in 12 games before Pittsburgh acquired him April.

A left-handed hitter, Davis then batted .235 in 131 games for the Pirates, finishing 2014 with a .233 overall batting average and 11 homers and 51 RBIs in 143 games.

The A’s designated outfielder Andrew Brown for assignment to clear roster room.

Davis became expendable in Pittsburgh when the Pirates decided that Pedro Alvarez would play first base in 2015.

Changes to the most recent collective bargaining agreement instituted limits on how much teams can spend on international amateur players.