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The Texas Rangers have re-signed catcher Geovany Soto to a one-year, $3.05 million contract, according to a team announcement. The deal also includes incentive clauses that could raise the value based on Soto's performance.
Soto, who turns 31 this offseason, hit .245 with 9 HR and 22 RBI in 54 games as the Rangers' backup catcher in 2013.
The veteran has struggled offensively since being acquired by Texas at the trade deadline in 2012, posting a .22 average in 101 games, but has performed well defensively in a backup role.
In nine major league seasons with the Cubs (2005-2012) and Rangers (2012-2013), Soto is a lifetime .248 hitter with 91 HR and 311 RBI.
With many catchers available on the market this winter, the Rangers are expected to be aggressive in their pursuit of a replacement for A.J. Pierzynski, who is also a free agent. Both Soto and Pierzynski expressed to ESPNDallas.com's Todd Wills in October that they would like to return to Texas, so the possibility of the Rangers bringing both catchers back should still be considered plausible. The team is also expected to heavily pursue top available catcher Brian McCann, and could look at Carlos Ruiz, Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Dioner Navarro as well.