The Kansas City Royals have signed catcher Miguel Olivo to a one-year contract for 2008 with a mutual option for the 2009 season.

“Miguel is a talented catcher with a power bat and a very strong throwing arm,” Royals General Manager Dayton Moore said. “With him and John Buck, they form one of the most powerful catching duos in baseball.”

(Editor's Note: Not sure I agree with that Dayton, but I'll give you a free pass on that one!)

Olivo, 29, has served as the Florida Marlins primary catcher the past two seasons after spending four seasons with the White Sox (2002-04), Mariners (2004-05) and Padres (2005). Olivo hit .237 (107-for-452) with 20 doubles, four triples, 16 home runs and 60 RBI in 122 games with Florida in 2007 after hitting .263 (113-for-430) with 22 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs and 58 RBI in 2006. Defensively, he has thrown out 31.2 percent (45 of 144) of attempted base stealers the past two seasons, good for fourth-best in the National League.