Eric Chavez, Yankees agree on contract

Updated: February 22, 2012, 11:05 AM ET
By Andrew Marchand | ESPNNewYork.com

TAMPA, Fla. -- Eric Chavez has agreed to a one-year deal for $900,000 plus incentives to be a backup infielder/designated hitter for the New York Yankees.

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Chavez's deal is pending a physical. The Yankees announced the deal Wednesday.

With Raul Ibanez officially announced Tuesday and now Chavez on board, the Yankees have completed their roster. Barring injury, Chavez will join Eduardo Nunez as the team's backup infielders.

The Yankees like Chavez's ability to spell Alex Rodriguez at third base when Rodriguez has a day off or takes a half-day as the team's designated hitter. If Rodriguez were to end up on the disabled list, the Yankees have confidence in Chavez's ability to play every day.

Chavez, 34, however, also has a history of getting injured. The last time he played more than 100 games was in 2006. Last year, he played 58 games for the Yankees, hitting .263 with two homers and 26 RBIs.

Since the A.J. Burnett trade with Pittsburgh was made, Chavez's signing was expected to follow Ibanez's. Before the teams agreed to terms, Yankees manager Joe Girardi slipped up Tuesday when he met with the media, acting as if Chavez was already on the club by talking about how he could utilize him.

Girardi corrected himself.

"That's not official," Girardi said. Now it is.

Andrew Marchand covers the Yankees for ESPNNewYork.com.

Andrew Marchand

ESPNNewYork.com
Andrew Marchand is a senior writer for ESPNNewYork. He also regularly contributes to SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight, ESPNews, 1050 ESPN New York and ESPN Radio. He joined ESPN in 2007 after nine years at the New York Post. Follow Andrew on Twitter »

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