The Cleveland Guardians signed catcher Mike Zunino to a one-year, $6 million deal

CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Guardians have reached an agreement with a veteran free agent catcher Mike Zunino For a year and $6 million, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Zunino will sign once he completes medicals, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized.

The AL Central champions entered the offseason looking to improve the catcher’s position and were involved in talks with the Oakland Athletics to trade for Shaun Murphywho ended up being sold to the Atlanta Braves on Monday in a three-team deal.

With Murphy no longer on the table, the Guardians sought Zunino, a 10-year-old veteran named to the 2021 All-Star Game who had spent four seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Zunino, 31, hit 22 home runs and drove in 62 runs in 109 games for the Rays in 2021. However, he only played in 36 games last season before being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and undergoing surgery.

It is likely that he will start the next season as a starter, while it is possible Bonaylor22 years old, gained experience.

Younger brother of the 1st Guardsman Josh Naylor, Bo, as the team’s long-term start. He split his final season between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus before being called up to the majors.

Naylor appeared in five games with Cleveland and was in their squad in the postseason.

Ex campaign, Austin Hedges W Luke Miley They were hunters for guardians. Despite his solid defensive performance, his lack of offensive production created a void at the back of coach Terry Francona’s lineup.

Zunino has a career hitting 200 average, but the Guardians were infatuated with his strength. He has hit at least 20 home runs four times.