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Report: A.J. Pierzynski to Braves

MLB, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox

The Atlanta Braves and veteran free-agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski have agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth about $2 million pending a physical, according to a report by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Pierzynski signed with the Cardinals in July after being released by the Red Sox, where he was having the worst offensive season of his career. He started 19 games while Yadier Molina was sidelined two months with a torn ligament in his right thumb. He finished the regular season hitting .251 with five home runs, 37 RBIs and .625 OPS. The 37-year-old was added to the Cardinals' roster for the NLCS and went 1-for-6 in two postseason games.

The 17-year veteran is a career .281 hitter with 177 home runs and 837 RBIs as a member of the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Red Sox and Cardinals.

It is believed Pierzynski is being brought in to mentor prospect Christian Bethancourt, with Evan Gattis moving to become the Braves' full-time left fielder. However, MLB.com reports trading Gattis had not been ruled out.

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