A.J. Pierzynski is going to the Boston Red Sox, signing a one year deal for $8.25 million.
Pierzynski was, of course, with the Rangers last year. He put up a .272/.297/.425 line that featured 2 unintentional walks in the second half of the season, and just 9 unintentional walks overall, while swinging at a higher percentage of pitches -- 60.7% -- than any other qualified player in the major leagues. That, together with what could be described as sometimes lackadaisical defense, apparently prompted the Rangers to decide that they were ready to move in a different direction behind the plate in 2014.
This signing means that Jarrod Saltalmacchia, the BoSox starter the past three years, likely will not return.