"Brayan Peña wants to return next season to the Royals even if he finds his playing time reduced to the level he endured last season as Jason Kendall's backup.

"I'm willing to accept my role," Peña said. "I'm willing to be a backup. I've always been a backup. I wish the Kansas City Royals will bring me back here. I want to be here. That's the thing. I really want to be here.

"I like the way we have been playing, and I like the path we're on. We've got a lot of good young guys. That makes me one of the veteran guys. I really like the mix that we have."

The Royals show no doubt they view rookie Sal Perez as an ironman catcher capable of playing 140 games or more. That leaves little room for a backup – Peña or anyone else – when the club looks to put together its 2012 roster.

Even so, manager Ned Yost cites Peña as a good fit.

"Most No. 2 catchers are catch-and-throw guys," Yost said. "Brayan can hit. He's a switch-hitter who can hit. And I think he still has pretty good upside as a (defensive) catcher."