Cardinals ready to give veteran catcher Pierzynski a shot behind the plate
The Cardinals are ready to give free-agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski a shot behind the plate.
First reported by St. Louis Post-Dispatch baseball writer Derrick Goold and confirmed by FOX Sports insider Ken Rosenthal, the two sides worked on a deal Friday night, prompting Pierzynski to leave Cooperstown, NY., and meet up with the club in Chicago. According to Goold, the Cardinals will officially announce the decision on Saturday.
The 37-year-old catcher was released by the Red Sox earlier this month and hit .254 with four homers and 31 RBI in 72 games.
Trying to find a capable replacement for All-Star Yadier Molina has proved difficult for St. Louis, and the Gold Glove catcher is expected to be out 10 more weeks after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.
Just last week the Cardinals signed free agent George Kottaras as a backup for Tony Cruz. Kottaras, however, is the odd man out and was seen packing his things in the St. Louis clubhouse following Friday's game against the Cubs.
In 17 seasons in the big leagues, Pierzynski is a a career .282 hitter with 176 home runs and 815 RBI with stops in Minnesota, San Francisco, Chicago (White Sox), Texas and Boston.
Pierzynski joining #STLCards tomorrow. Already in Chicago.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 26, 2014
