Royals agree to terms with catcher Brayan Pena on a one-year contract for 2012

KANSAS CITY, MO (January 16, 2012) - The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has agreed to terms on a one-year Major League contract with catcher Brayan Pena for the 2012 season, avoiding arbitration.  Consistent with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.  The Royals now have six remaining arbitration-eligible players: pitchers Luke Hochevar, Felipe Paulino and Jonathan Sanchez; infielder Chris Getz, and outfielders Alex Gordon and Mitch Maier.  

The just-turned 30-year-old, his birthday was on January 7, batted .248 (55-for-222) with 11 doubles, three home runs and 24 RBI in 72 games for the Royals in 2011.  Pena set career highs in games played, at bats, hits, doubles and RBI.  He was acquired by Kansas City in a waiver claim from the Atlanta Braves on May 30, 2008.  Born in Havana, Cuba, he now resides in Miami, Fla.