LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Catcher J.P. Arencibia and the Texas Rangers have finalized a $1.8 million, one-year contract.
Arencibia hit .194 with 21 homers, 18 doubles and 55 RBIs in a career-high 138 games this year for Toronto. The Blue Jays didn’t offer him a contract by the Dec. 2 deadline and allowed him to become a free agent.
Arencibia has a .212 career average with 64 homers and 193 RBIs in four big league seasons. He turns 28 next month and figures to be a backup to Geovany Soto.
The agreement was announced Tuesday.
Arencibia is fourth among catchers in home runs over the past three seasons with 62. Two of Arencibia’s seven multihomer games have come in Arlington. The other five were in Toronto.
