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Royals claim catcher George Kottaras off waivers from the Athletics

Oakland Athletics v Detroit Tigers

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 20: George Kottaras #14 of the Oakland Athletics gets high fives in the when returning to the dugout after hitting a sixth inning triple that scored two runners while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 20, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. Oakland won the game 12-4. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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The Royals announced this afternoon that they have claimed catcher George Kottaras off waivers from the Athletics. Kottaras was designated for assignment last week after Oakland acquired John Jaso from the Mariners in the three-team Michael Morse deal.

Some speculated that the catching-starved Yankees should have put in a claim, but because the Royals finished at 72-90 last year, they had a higher waiver priority. Kottaras signed a one-year, $1 million contract with Oakland earlier this month to avoid arbitration, so the Royals will now be responsible for his 2013 salary.

Kottaras, 29, batted .211/.351/.415 with nine home runs, 31 RBI and a .766 OPS over 85 games last season between the Brewers and Athletics. He figures to serve as Salvador Perez’s primary backup this year.