MLB Roundup: Angels sign Carlos Pena and Brennan Boesch, Cubs and Justin Ruggiano avoid arbitration

The Angels have brought in Carlos Pena and Brennan Boesch on minor league deals.

Jan 29, 2014, 10:48 PM UTC

Scott Halleran

Carlos Pena and Brennan Boesch have agreed to minor league deals with the Angels, and both contracts include invites to spring training.

According to Joel Sherman, Pena's deal will pay him $1 million if he makes the club out of spring training, while Boesch's could earn him $800,000. Pena and Boesch represent the second and third players the Angels have signed to minor league contracts in the past 24 hours, after they agreed to a deal with Chad Tracy on Wednesday afternoon.

The 35-year-old Pena played for both the Astros and Royals in 2013, batting .207/.321/.346 with eight home runs. A 13-year veteran, Pena has played for eight major league teams, most notably the Rays, whom he hit 46 home runs with back in 2007.

Boesch played for the Yankees in 2013 after breaking into the majors with the Tigers. He has hit 45 home runs over four major league seasons and owns a .315 career on-base percentage. Both players project as little more than minor league depth, but could earn a spot if injuries impact the Angels roster this spring.

Cubs and Justin Ruggiano avoid arbitration

Outfielder Justin Ruggiano and the Cubs avoided arbitration, with the two sides settling on a $2 million contract for 2014. Per Joel Sherman, Ruggiano initially filed for a $2.45 million deal, while the Cubs offered $1.6 million, and the two sides nearly split the difference between the two offers. Ruggiano had a disappointing season in 2013, batting .222/.298/.396 after hitting 13 home runs and posting a .535 slugging percentage in 91 games in 2012. The Cubs acquired Ruggiano in December, sending fellow outfielder Brian Bogusevic to the Marlins. The 31-year-old Ruggiano will serve as bench and outfield depth for the Cubs in 2014, but could get at a shot at regular playing time if expected starters Ryan Sweeney, Junior Lake or Nate Schierholtz falter.

Reds add Ramon Santiago

Utility infielder Ramon Santiago and the Reds came to an agreement on a minor league contract that could pay Santiago as much as $1.1 million, according to Jon Heyman. Santiago is a 12-year major league veteran who has spent the past eight seasons with the Tigers. In 2013, he batted .224/.298/.288, while playing shortstop, second and third base in Detroit. The 34-year-old will look to fill the same type of role in Cincinnati, which also signed utility man Skip Schumaker to a two-year contract earlier this offseason.

Rangers claim Pedro Figueroa, designate Chaz Roe for assignment

The Rangers claimed left-handed reliever Pedro Figueroa off waivers from the Rays, who had designated the pitcher for assignment to make room for Grant Balfour. Tampa Bay had picked up Figueroa earlier in January after the A’s had released him. The 27-year-old pitcher appeared in just five games for Oakland in 2013 and owns a career 4.38 ERA in 24.2 innings pitched. To make room for Figueroa, the Rangers designated right-handed reliever Chaz Roe for assignment.