Report: Red Sox Agree To Terms With Catcher A.J. Pierzynski
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Red Sox have made their first major move of the offseason, reportedly agreeing to terms with free-agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski.
CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reported the news on Tuesday morning. The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham said on Toucher & Rich that it's a one-year deal, and ESPN's Buster Olney later reported that it was worth $8.25 million.
Pierzynski, an MLB veteran of more than 1,700 games, will turn 37 years old on Dec. 30. The Red Sox will be his third team in as many years, after he spent 2013 with the Texas Rangers. He batted .272 with a .722 OPS in 134 games, hitting 24 doubles and 17 home runs.
With David Ross also under contract for 2013, the Pierzynski signing likely spells the end of Jarrod Saltalamacchia's tenure with the Red Sox.
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Pierzynski has played for the Twins, Giants, White Sox and Rangers. He was reportedly in talks with the Twins as recently as Sunday, but a report on Monday said that negotiations fizzled.
In his career, Pierzynski has played 32 games at Fenway Park, where he's hit .322 with zero home runs and a .751 OPS.
