The Arizona Diamondbacks and infielder Eric Chavez agreed to terms on a $3 million, one-year contract Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because nothing had been finalized. Chavez's new deal is pending a physical. In addition, the Diamondbacks reached agreement on a one-year deal with catcher Wil Nieves, another person said on condition of anonymity because Nieves still needed to complete a physical to make it official.
The 34-year-old Chavez hit .281 with 16 homers in 278 at-bats for the New York Yankees, playing first and third base and at designated hitter.
Chavez was six-time Gold Glove third baseman with Oakland before injuries sidelined him for significant time for several years. But he found success in a limited role with New York this season, seeing more playing time after Alex Rodriguez broke his hand in late July.
Chavez, who lives in the Phoenix area, will likely serve in a reserve role for Arizona, which has Chris Johnson at third base and Paul Goldschmidt at first.
The 35-year-old Nieves, who wasn't tendered a contract by Arizona last week, batted .306 with a home run and three RBIs in 16 games for the D-backs in 2012.
Arizona claimed him off waivers from Colorado on Aug. 6. Nieves was designated for assignment by the Rockies after hitting .298 with one homer in 16 games with the Rockies and .306 with three homers in 111 at-bats for Triple-A Colorado Springs.
