NEW YORK, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The New York Yankees strengthened their bench Wednesday when they signed free agent infielder Todd Zeile to a one-year deal.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but various reports said Zeile agreed to a $1.5 million deal to return to New York.
Zeile, 37, spent last season with the Colorado Rockies and batted .273 with 18 homers and 87 RBI.
"Todd is a proven veteran with strong leadership abilities who has played in New York," Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said of the former Met. "He will give Joe Torre a solid righthanded option at third and first base, DH and off the bench."
Zeile, who collected his 1,000th career RBI during the 2002 campaign, has played 1,388 career games at third base, 376 games at first, 128 games at catcher and three games in the outfield.
The 14-year veteran has batted .292 during his four career postseason appearances with four homers and 14 RBI. The Yankees, who have made the playoffs the last eight years, have seen some of Zeile's playoff performances firsthand.
Zeile was a Baltimore Oriole during the 1996 American League Championship Series, when he batted .364 with three home runs and five RBI. With the Mets during the 2000 World Series, Zeile hit .400.
