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Catcher Mike DiFelice and the Detroit Tigers agreed Thursday to a $650,000, one-year contract.
DiFelice, 34, hit .254 for Kansas City last season with 16 doubles, three homers and 25 RBIs in 62 games, and threw out 30 percent of runners attempting to steal.
He also has played for St. Louis (1996-97, 2002), Tampa Bay (1998-2001) and Arizona (2001).
``Mike is an established major league backup catcher,'' Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said. ``He is solid defensively with leadership abilities and occasional pop in his bat.''
DeFelice would make an additional $25,000 if he plays in 80 games. Detroit also designated left-hander Adrian Burnside for assignment.
The Cincinnati Reds allowed outfielders Ruben Mateo and Reggie Taylor and infielder Russell Branyan to become free agents by not offering 2004 contracts Saturday.
Branyan and Mateo would have been eligible for arbitration.
Right-handers Chris
Reitsma and John Riedling were offered contracts are eligible for arbitration.
Branyan hit .216 with nine homers and 26 RBIs in 74 games last season. Ticketmaster.
Mateo also appeared in 74 games, hitting .242 with three homers and 18 RBIs.
Taylor, who sustained a season-ending shoulder injury Aug. 24 diving for a ball, hit .217 with five homers and 19 RBIs in 100 games.
Reitsma was 9-5 with a 4.29 ERA. Riedling was 2-3 with a 4.90 ERA.