After losing backup catcher Gerald Laird to the Braves via free agency the Tigers have found his replacement in Brayan Pena, who was let go last month by the Royals.
Jason Beck of MLB.com reports that Detroit and Pena have agreed to a one-year deal. Pena spent the past four seasons as Kansas City’s primary backup catcher, averaging 66 games and 206 plate appearances per year while hitting .251 with a .647 OPS.
The switch-hitting Pena has never done particularly well versus left-handed pitchers, which makes him a less than ideal fit to back up the left-handed-hitting Alex Avila.
