MONTREAL, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The Montreal Expos have agreed to a one-year contract with free agent third baseman Tony Batista.
Financial terms were not released.
Batista, who earned $6.4 million last season, hit .235 with 20 doubles, 26 home runs, and 99 RBI for the Baltimore Orioles in 2003. He led Baltimore in homers and was one behind Jay Gibbons for the team lead in RBI.
"Tony's presence also provides us with a veteran glove at third base, and his righthanded bat adds balance to our lineup," said President and General Manager Omar Minaya, whose team used five third baseman last season.
Fernando Tatis, Jamey Carroll, Edwards Guzman, Jose Macias, and Todd Zeile combined to hit .230 with nine homers, 49 RBI, and 102 strikeouts.
Batista, 30, is a career .253 hitter with 181 doubles, 182 home runs, and 571 RBI in eight major league seasons with Oakland, Arizona, Toronto, and Baltimore. The two-time American League All-Star has 57 home runs in the last two seasons.
