Free-agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski has agreed to terms with the Texas Rangers on a one-year deal, pending a physical examination.
Pierzynski, 35, batted .278 with 27 homeruns and 77 RBIs this past season for the Chicago White Sox. He played in 135 games, starting 121 at catcher.
In 133 career at-bats at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Pierzynski has hit .271 with three homers and 16 RBIs. He has nine doubles, one triple, 19 strikeouts and six walks. He's been hit by a pitch seven times as well.
Pierzynski, who made $6 million in 2012 as part of a two-year, $8 million contract, would step into the spot vacated by Mike Napoli, who agreed to terms on a three-year deal with Boston at the winter meetings. The deal, however, has yet to have been finalized.
Napoli hit 24 homers and had 56 RBIs in 108 games for Texas in 2012, but hit just .227.
Pierzynski could catch and play some designated hitter in Texas with catcher Geovany Soto also under contract with the team.
It was just last July when Pierzynski was left off the AL All-Star team by Rangers manager Ron Washington, who said he just didn't have room to put him on the squad.
"I feel bad for Pierzynski," Washington said shortly after the All-Star team was announced. "The guy's having an outstanding year. He's been working with a very good pitching staff over there with those Chicago White Sox for many years. I consider him a winning player because he beats you any kind of way he can. He beats you mentally. He beats you physically. So I feel really bad for Pierzynski."
Related Articles:
