The Baltimore Orioles and catcher J.P. Arencibia agreed to a minor league deal according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. The deal includes a invite to the teams spring training.
Os make official the Arencibia signing. Minor league deal, ST invite
— Dan Connolly (@danconnollysun) January 8, 2015
Arencibia has spent five years in the majors including four with the Toronto Blue Jays, who are in the AL East, where he has signed. Last season, during his only year with the Texas Rangers, the 29-year old hit a poor .171 batting average with 10 home runs in 63 games. He has a 2.0 wins above replacement in his career and was the Blue Jays first round selection in 2007.
The Orioles signed him likely for depth behind starting catcher Matt Wieters. Throughout his career, Wieters has yet to play through 150 games in a season. Arencibia can also play first base so if Chris Davis or Steve Pearce are unable to play for some type of reason, Baltimore has insurance.
I could see Arencibia breaking spring training with the team, but not as a catcher. The team seems to have enough depth with Wieters, Steve Clevenger, Caleb Joseph, and Ryan Lavarnway, who they claimed off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. So, he could make the team as bench help for first base and even for DH.
One things for sure though, he does do a great Tim Kurkjian impression.
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