Kendall inks with K.C.; Putz to Chicago

NEW YORK (AP) — Jason Kendall got a $6 million, two-year contract from the Kansas City Royals and J.J. Putz agreed to a $3 million, one-year deal with the Chicago White Sox on Friday as players and teams kept making moves following the winter meetings.

Tampa Bay finalized its trade with Atlanta, acquiring right-hander Rafael Soriano and agreeing to a $7.25 million, one-year contract with the reliever. And Washington completed its $6 million, two-year contract with 14-time All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez.

Kendall is a .290 hitter over his 14-year career. The 35-year-old made three All-Star teams from 1996-00 but hit just .241 with two homers and 43 RBIs last season with Milwaukee.

Soriano became a free agent after the season, then surprised the Braves this week when he accepted salary arbitration. Atlanta already had agreed to deals with free-agent relievers Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito, so the Braves traded Soriano to the Rays for right-hander Jesse Chavez. Soriano had to approve the deal, and he can’t be traded by the Rays without his consent before June 15.

“We had our eyes on different guys, but I don’t think any that make us feel as confident about our bullpen heading into the season as we do now,” said Andrew Friedman, the Rays’ executive vice president of baseball operations.

Soriano had a career-best 27 saves in 31 opportunities for the Braves. In 752‚Ñ3 innings, he struck out 102 while walking 27.

Tampa Bay had 22 blown saves this year — eighth most in the major leagues.