Pirates and John Jaso agree to two-year deal

Free agent John Jaso and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to an $8-million, two-year contract.

The 32-year-old has played mostly in the outfield and at catcher in the past, but the Pirates plan on using him at first base, a position he has played in just two big league games.

Pedro Alvarez, who shifted from third base to first for the 2015 season, became a free agent when Pittsburgh declined to offer a 2016 contract.

Jaso spent last season with Tampa Bay, hitting .286 with five homers and 22 runs batted in in 216 plate appearances. He sprained his left wrist in the first inning on opening day and did not return until July 7.

Jaso hit .321 (17 for 53) in his last 22 games this year. A left-handed hitter, Jaso has a .263 average with 37 homers and 204 RBIs in seven big league seasons with Tampa Bay, Seattle and Oakland.

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Outfielder Jerry Sands has been claimed by the Chicago White Sox off waivers from the Cleveland Indians. The 29-year-old former Dodger hit .236 with four homers and 19 RBIs in games with Cleveland last season. He also played in 66 games with triple-A Columbus. ...

South Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim and the Baltimore Orioles have finalized a $7-million, two-year contract. An agreement between the Orioles and the 28-year-old was reached last week, pending a physical. The deal was completed Wednesday. Kim hit 28 homers last season and has a .406 career on-base percentage during 10 seasons in South Korea. The 28-year-old is expected to play left field, a position the Orioles had difficulty filling last season. ...

The Chicago Cubs have claimed left-handed pitcher Edgar Olmos off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles and released recently acquired infielder Brendan Ryan. Chicago also announced that pitcher Yoervis Medina was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.