Former Toronto Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia has found a new home.
According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Arencibia reached an agreement on a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers Friday afternoon.
The Rangers reportedly pursued Arencibia before the Blue Jays non-tendered him prior to Monday’s deadline. Texas was in need of a boost at the catcher position after missing out on free agent Brian McCann, who signed a five-year deal with the New York Yankees last week.
Arencibia, 27, hit .194/.227/.365/.592 with 21 home runs, 55 RBIs and a career-high 148 strikeouts with the Blue Jays in 2013.
In 1,392 major league plate appearances, Arencibia has compiled a career on-base-percentage of .258. He has hit at least 18 home runs in each of the last three seasons.
The Blue Jays originally selected Arencibia in the first round (21st overall) in the 2007 MLB Draft. He spent parts of four seasons with Toronto.
The deal is pending a physical.