The Giants found a center fielder at a relatively low price on Monday, agreeing to a two-year, $6 million contract with free agent Austin Jackson.
Jackson, who turns 31 on Feb. 1, is the third veteran hitter the Giants added to a lineup that mightily struggled last season. They also traded for third baseman Evan Longoria and outfielder Andrew McCutchen.
A priority after the 98-loss season was improving the outfield defense, and Jackson figures to be an upgrade over Denard Span, who was dealt to Tampa Bay in the Longoria deal.
Jackson also could fill a hole at leadoff after hitting .318 with seven homers and a .387 on-base percentage in 85 games for the Indians.
General manager Bobby Evans called Jackson a “talented and versatile player who will strengthen our roster and provide additional depth at all three outfield positions.”
The Giants are getting no younger — once Belt turns 30 in April, the only player in the projected lineup in his 20s will be Joe Panik — but they anticipate a more potent offense and better defense.
McCutchen will be the right fielder with Hunter Pence moving from right to left.
With Jackson aboard, the Giants could allow Steven Duggar, the center fielder of the future, to open at Triple-A Sacramento and ease him into the majors at some point in the summer.
Jackson was an everyday player his first six seasons in the majors but played 54 and 85 games his past two seasons. He was on the disabled list twice in 2017 with toe and quadriceps injuries.
Signing Jackson to a two-year contract would keep him around in 2019 after McCutchen’s and Pence’s contracts will have expired.
Jackson, who has played for the Tigers, Mariners, Cubs, White Sox and Indians, is a .275 career hitter — .279 against righties, .267 against lefties — and was particularly effective last season against lefties. .352.
He made 38 starts in center, 29 in left and 12 in right. In his career, he made 888 starts in center and 49 at the corners.
The contract calls for a $3 million guarantee in each season and includes more than $2 million in incentives.
The Giants remain under the $197 million luxury tax threshold but not by much. Their next focus is pitching depth, in both the rotation and bullpen, but they couldn’t spend significantly on a pitcher or else they’d exceed the threshold and face penalties as a four-time offender.
John Shea is The San Francisco Chronicle’s national baseball writer. Email: jshea@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JohnSheaHey