Cardinals sign Brayan Pena to 2-year, $5 million deal

The Cardinals have signed catcher Brayan Pena to a 2-year contract, according to a team announcement. Pena will receive $5 million in guaranteed money, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Pena, 33, heads to the fifth team of his career and will serve as the primary backup to Yadier Molina in St. Louis. He also has the ability to play first base, and could provide a switch-hitting option for the Cardinals to pair with Matt Adams and Stephen Piscotty at the position.

Pena also drew interest from the Braves and other clubs this winter, and joins free-agent backstops Geovany Soto (Angels), Alex Avila (White Sox), Chris Iannetta (Angels), A.J. Pierzynski (Braves) and Matt Wieters (Orioles) as players who have already signed this winter. The catching market has been very active so far this off-season, with only Jeff Mathis, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Dioner Navarro remaining as options for teams looking to make an addition behind the plate.

Pena spent the last two seasons with the Reds, hitting .263/.313/.339 with five homers in 223 games while seeing time behind the plate and at first base. He has also spent time with the Braves (2005-08), Royals (2009-12) and Tigers (2013) during his career, and is the owner of a lifetime .260/.300/.352 line in 629 major-league games.

For a complete look at where free agents have signed this winter, check our our updated free-agent tracker.