Astros finalize 1-year deal with catcher Chirinos

HOUSTON -- The Astros announced the completion of a one-year deal with free-agent catcher Robinson Chirinos on Thursday.
Chirinos, a Venezuelan, came up with the Rays in 2011, and he spent the past six seasons with the Rangers, playing in 442 games in that span. That included a career-high 113 games and 426 plate appearances last season in which he hit .222 with a .338 on-base percentage and .757 OPS. He logged career highs in homers (18) and RBIs (65).
The Rangers declined Chirinos' $4.5 million option for 2018.

Chirinos' 97 OPS+ and 103 wRC+ were about in line with league average last season offensively. Defensively, he's thrown out 25 percent of attempted basestealers in his career, including just 10 percent (6-of-59) last season.
Chirinos will join Max Stassi and prospect Garrett Stubbs as the three catchers on the Astros' 40-man roster -- which likely means Martín Maldonado won't be re-signed. Brian McCann, who spent the previous two seasons with Houston, has signed with Atlanta.
The Astros could still sign another catcher later in the offseason, but Chirinos will provide a solid veteran presence, who is well respected on the field and in the clubhouse.