PITTSBURGH, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Luis Sojo became the fourth member of the World Series champion New York Yankees to leave the team when he signed a minor league contract Wednesday with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Sojo, 34, signed an undisclosed deal and joins catcher Joe Girardi, outfielder Chad Curtis and pitcher Hideki Irabu among the departed from the Yankees.
Girardi signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs, Curtis was traded to the Texas Rangers and Irabu was dealt to the Montreal Expos.
Sojo joins his fifth organization. In 711 games with the Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays and California Angels, he has posted a .262 batting average with 29 home runs and 215 RBI.
He never has been an everyday player and figures to be used in a utility role in Pittsburgh should he make the major league roster.
He hit .252 with two homers and 16 RBI in 49 games for the Yankees in 1999.
