BOSTON -- Five-time All-Star catcher Tony Pena agreed Monday to a three-year $6.4 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, rare shoppers in the free-agent market but in desperate need of defensive help behind the plate.
The new contract reportedly will give Pena a $600,000 signing bonus, $1.5 million in 1990, $2.1 million in 1991, and $2.2 million in 1992.
Boston's last major free-agent signing was Tony Perez in 1980.
Pena, 32, played six seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates and for the past three years was a St. Louis Cardinal. He has a career batting average of .274 and won the Golden Glove three times, in 1983-1985.
Boston General Manager Lou Gorman hailed Pena as 'one of the premier defensive catchers in baseball.'
A frequent criticism of the Red Sox has been a lack of intensity, but Gorman cited Pena as a player 'who loves to play and performs with great emotion.'
'He plays with enthusiasm and that should really help our pitching staff,' said Red Sox general partner Haywood Sullivan. 'His overall abilities behind the plate will help the team tremendously.'
Last year, the Red Sox' top catcher was Rick Cerone, who batted only .243 and committed 10 errors with 4 passed balls. The backup catcher was Rich Gedman, who hit only .212 with 10 errors and 6 passed balls. Boston had two of the three American League catchers who committed more than nine errors.
Pena, from the Dominican Republic, signed with Pittsburgh in 1975 and made his major-league debut in September 1980. He was traded to St. Louis before the 1987 season.
Last year, Pena hit .259 with 4 home runs and 37 RBI. He led the National League in fielding percentage, committing just 2 errors in 746 total chances.