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The Arizona Diamondbacks added a couple of role players at the Winter Meetings in Nashville on Wednesday, signing third baseman Eric Chavez and re-signing back catcher Wil Nieves.
The 35-year-old Chavez could see playing time at third base in a platoon split with right-handed hitting Chris Johnson and could also be used as a designated hitter during interleague play. Chavez, a winner of six Gold Gloves, hit .281 with 16 home runs and 37 RBI in 64 games for the New York Yankees last season.
Nieves returns to the D-backs after being non-tendered to avoid having to overpay him via salary arbitration. The 35-year-old was signed by Arizona in August of last year and hit .306 with one homerun and three RBI in 38 plate appearances. He will back up Miguel Montero, who is expected to start roughly 130 games behind the dish for the D-backs next season.
With the signing, Arizona is carrying one more infielder than they will likely have on the roster on opening day. The surplus could be used as insurance in case of injury or included in a possible trade.