Royals agree to terms with catcher Brett Hayes on a one-year contract for 2013

KANSAS CITY, MO (November 20, 2012) — The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has agreed to terms on a one-year Major League contract with catcher Brett Hayes for the 2013 season, avoiding arbitration.  Consistent with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.  The signing of Hayes leaves right-handed pitchers Luke Hochevar and Felipe Paulino, and second baseman Chris Getz as the club’s only unsigned arbitration-eligible players.

Hayes, 28, worked as the Marlins backup catcher for parts of the past four seasons before being claimed on Outright Waivers by the Royals on November 2.  In 39 games in 2012, he batted .202 with six doubles after hitting .231 with five home runs and 16 RBI in 64 contests in 2011.  Known as a strong defensive catcher, Hayes has caught 19 of 74 attempted basestealers in his career (26%).  The 6-foot, 201-pound right-handed hitter was the Marlins’ second-round selection in the 2005 draft out of the University of Nevada.  His father, Tim Hayes, Jr., was drafted by the Royals in the fourth round of the 1975 Draft, but never played professionally.