SAN DIEGO — The answer to the A’s need for a left-handed or switch-hitting second baseman might be exactly the same as twice before.

The Chronicle has learned that Oakland has had internal conversations about bringing back 2018 All-Star Jed Lowrie — assuming that the Mets pick up the bulk of Lowrie’s $10 million salary for 2020.

“That is a deal that absolutely makes sense to me,” said one major-league executive who requested anonymity because he was commenting on another team’s business decisions. “I know the Mets are in salary-dump mode, though, so I don’t know how much Oakland would have to take on, but Jed always seems to be a great fit there.”

A’s vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane often has mentioned that Lowrie is one of his favorite players — and he has demonstrated it clearly by trading for him twice, before the 2013 and 2016 seasons. The first two deals were with the Astros; the Mets signed Lowrie to a two-year, $20 million deal last winter.

“What would this be — a trilogy? A troika?” another executive said. “It would be better than Halloween III, better than Die Hard III, better than Godfather III.”

Lowrie, 35, missed all but a handful of games at the end of the 2019 season because of a variety of leg injuries. Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen recently told reporters that Lowrie’s health status for spring training was “to be determined.”

A Stanford alum, Lowrie hit .267 with 23 homers, 78 walks and 99 RBIs for Oakland in 2018 and he was a Gold Glove finalist at second base. In five years over his two stints with the A’s, he batted .271 with 60 homers, 278 walks and 320 RBIs.

The A’s current second-base candidates — Franklin Barreto, Jorge Mateo and Sheldon Neuse — are all right-handed hitters, as is top utilityman Chad Pinder.

Beane said this week that the team is more likely to pursue a second baseman via a trade than through free agency, and there are two intriguing younger options who are believed to be available, albeit for more and better prospects than Lowrie might be. All-Star Whit Merrifield, who is going to arbitration for the first time, potentially could be pried away from frequent Oakland trade partner Kansas City, but the 30-year-old would come at a premium and the A’s are unlikely to want to move any of their top five prospects. Pittsburgh second baseman Adam Frazier, 27, is also going into his first arbitration year and might not require as big a return; multiple sources said the Pirates are looking for young catchers and Oakland’s Jonah Heim or Austin Allen might suffice.

Beane mentioned that the A’s have some interest in one free-agent second baseman, and there is a glut of names on the market. One name that might fit the bill is recently non-tendered infielder César Hernández, a switch hitter who hit 14 homers, scored 77 runs and drove in 71 last year with the Brewers. “He’s a good player, an everyday player,” said one scout. “He’s got a solid glove and he’s been consistently productive at the major-league level.”

Pinder was the subject of trade rumors at the winter meetings this week, but at least one team, Cleveland, has had longstanding interest in him and the A’s have indicated zero interest in moving him and still have no plans to do so.

The A’s could look at Thursday morning’s Rule-5 draft to add a left-handed bat or a switch hitter; general manager David Forst said that the team would go over the potential options Wednesday night, but hadn’t yet determined whether to participate in the draft.

Oakland has several unprotected minor-leaguers who are possible targets, including Triple-A outfielder Mark Payton, left-hander Jhenderson Hurtado and right-hander Wandisson Charles.

Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sslusser@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @susanslusser