Catcher Hayes signs one-year deal with Royals

KANSAS CITY -- Catcher Brett Hayes was signed to a one-year, $600,000 contract by the Royals for 2013, avoiding salary arbitration on Tuesday.

Hayes, 28, was claimed on waivers Nov. 2 from the Marlins. He was the Marlins' backup catcher for parts of four seasons, and this year, he batted .202 in 39 games. A right-handed batter, he has a .217 average in 143 games.

A strong defensive catcher, Hayes has thrown out 19 of 74, or 26 percent, of would-be basestealers in his Major League career.

Hayes is one of two catchers on the Royals' 40-man roster, along with regular Salvador Perez. Brayan Pena and Adam Moore were designated for assignment on Tuesday and Manny Pina is on the Triple-A Omaha roster.