CHICAGO -- For A.J. Pierzynski, the opportunity for a fresh start with a perennial contender was too good to pass up.
Pierzynski on Saturday signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, choosing them from among several suitors, 10 days after being released by the Boston Red Sox.
The veteran catcher didn't divulge what other teams showed interest in him, but said playing for a contender was a priority.
"You want to try and find a team that can win. You don't want to go to the team that's in last place and just kind of play out the string," said Pierzynski, who was in the starting lineup and batting sixth for the Cardinals' afternoon matchup against the Chicago Cubs.
Pierzynski, 37, now with his sixth team in 17 seasons, spoke with St. Louis manager Mike Matheny Friday before signing and expressed his desire to continue playing and willingness to accept whatever role was best for the team.
"I just wanted to make sure he was a good fit," Matheny said. "Explain to him the lay of the land here, kind of what are expectations are. Also, get kind of a feel of where he is. There are certain guys kind of on that bubble (questioning) 'do I still want to keep doing this?'"
The Cardinals have been looking for a steady presence behind the plate since All-Star Yadier Molina went down with a torn ligament in his right thumb on July 9. Molina underwent surgery on July 11 and is expected to miss 8-to-12 weeks.
"Bringing in another talented player to help us try kind of try and put things together and figure out how to take our club to another level," Matheny said. "We still believe we have to get to another level."
Pierzynski brushed aside questions about the his reputation as a negative influence in the clubhouse, and Matheny said he told his team to get rid of any preconceived notions.
"People that played with me and know me, know what I'm about and that's all that really matters," Pierzynski said.
The left-handed hitting Pierzynski played 72 games this year with the Boston Red Sox, hitting .254 with four home runs. He is a career .282 hitter.
Giants acquire veteran
Peavy from Red Sox
SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants boosted their rotation for the stretch run by acquiring right-hander Jake Peavy from the Boston Red Sox on Saturday for a pair of minor-league pitchers.
The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner will start tonight's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants held a half-game division lead in the NL West against their rival going into Saturday night's middle game at AT&T Park.
The Giants have plenty of familiarity with Peavy, who pitched for manager Bruce Bochy with the San Diego Padres in the playoffs in 2005-06.
"It's great to be reunited with Jake," Bochy said by text message. "Look forward to working with him again."
San Francisco missed the playoffs in 2013 after winning the World Series in 2010 and '12, and the club is committed to making another special October run.
The 33-year-old Peavy pitched one of his best games last Aug. 25 at Dodger Stadium. He tossed a three-hitter with five strikeouts and one walk in an 8-1 Red Sox victory.
Sports on 07/27/2014