Braves Sign Three Free Agents

ATLANTA, Ga. - The Atlanta Braves today signed three free-agent players, including right-handed pitcher Jason Grilli, left-handed pitcher Josh Outman and catcher A.J. Pierzynski. Financial terms of the deals were not announced.

Grilli, who was announced by the Club on December 23, signed a two-year contract for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, with a club option for 2017. He has recorded 45 saves over the last two seasons, including 33 for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013. Grilli, 38, split the 2014 season between the Pirates and Anaheim Angels and recorded 57 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched. Over his 12-year career Grilli has posted 520 strikeouts in 552 innings pitched.

Pierzynski, who turned 38 on December 30, signed a one-year Major League contract for the 2015 season. He has played 17 Major League seasons with six teams and split the 2014 campaign between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, batting a combined .251 with five home runs and 37 RBI in 102 games. 

The 6-foot-3, left-handed hitter spent his first six seasons (1998-2003) with Minnesota after being drafted by the Twins in the third round of the 1994 draft. He spent one year (2004) with the San Francisco Giants before moving to the Chicago White Sox for eight seasons (2005-12) and the Texas Rangers for one season (2013). 

A two-time All-Star selection (2002 and '06), Pierzynski claimed the American League Silver Slugger Award in 2012, when he posted a .278 average with 27 homers and 77 RBI for the White Sox.

He has played at least 100 games in each of the last 14 seasons and has compiled a .281 career batting average with 754 runs scored, 177 home runs, 368 doubles and 837 RBI in 1,865 games. He has averaged 65 runs, 32 doubles, 15 home runs and 73 RBI per 162 games played over his career.

Outman, 30, signed a one-year Major League contract for 2015. He went a combined 4-0 with a 2.86 ERA over 40 relief appearances with the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees last season.

The left-hander owns a 16-11 record with a 4.43 ERA in 161 games (32 starts) over six Major League seasons with the Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies, Indians and Yankees.

Since 2008, the Missouri native ranks eighth (min. 300 batters faced) among all Major League relievers with a .186 (69-for-371) opponents' batting average against left-handed hitters.

Outman was originally selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 10^th round of the 2005 draft out of the University of Central Missouri. He missed the 2010 season while recovering from "Tommy John" surgery.