ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Free-agent reliever Kyle Farnsworth has agreed to a $3.25 million, one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The deal announced Saturday includes a club option for 2012.
Farnsworth joins a bullpen that is being rebuilt after helping Tampa Bay win the AL East for the second time in three seasons. The 34-year-old right-hander went 3-2 with a 3.34 ERA in 60 games for the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves last year.
The Rays have lost five relievers via free agency this winter, including All-Star closer Rafael Soriano, Joaquin Benoit, Randy Choate, Dan Wheeler and Grant Balfour.
Farnsworth is 34-55 with a 4.39 ERA in parts of 12 seasons with the Braves, Royals, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees.