The defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox have agreed to a deal with free agent veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski. The specifics of the deal have yet to be released.
According to CBS Sports, the Red Sox were looking for a veteran catcher to handle their staff with a solid bat and liked what Pierzynski brought to the table, and they were able to reach an agreement with the free agent.
It ultimately came down to the Red Sox either signing Pierzynski or re-signing Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who was a part of their World Series winning team last season and the team decided to go with Pierzynski.
The details of the deal haven't been disclosed, but CBS Sports reports that Boston has depth at catching in the minors and appeared to be hesitant to offer a long-term deal to a catcher so the deal shouldn't prove to be for too many years.
Catcher David Ross will be the backup to Pierzynski for the 2014 season.
The Red Sox were able to beat out the Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins, who are all looking for catchers, by locking up the veteran. The Twins appeared to be on the cusp of landing Pierzynski until he decided to sign with Boston.
Pierzynski played in 134 games with the Texas Rangers last year and hit .272 with 17 homers and 70 RBIs last season.
Pierzynski, who turns 37 this month, is a two-time All-Star, a World Series champion and a one-time Silver Slugger award winner and brings a lifetime .283 batting average to Boston along with 1,782 hits, 172 homers and 800 career RBIs throughout his 16-year career.
Pierzynski helped the Rangers to a 91-71 record last season, but Texas missed the playoffs for the first time since 2009 after losing to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 163. He now joins a team that made it all the way to the World Series and beat the Cardinals in six games.
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