MLB Free Agency: Bill Hall and New York Yankees Ink Minor-League Deal

Bill Hall and the New York Yankees have agreed to terms on a minor league deal that will almost certainly put Hall in pinstripes for the 2012 season. He will be a utility infielder for New York as long as he gets called up to the big league team at some point this season.

Last season, Hall posted a .211 average while playing for the Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants. He was limited to only 199 plate appearances in 2011 while spending the majority of his time in the field at second base.

Hall shined in 2010 with the Boston Red Sox, hitting 18 home runs in almost 400 plate appearances as the team's utility infielder. He has shown versatility during his 10-year career, playing in the outfield as well.

This signing will almost guarantee that Eric Chavez will not return for a second season with the Bombers. Along with Eduardo Nunez, Hall could be a solid reserve, giving the Yanks a veteran presence coming off the bench.

Hall is already connected to the Bronx, as he works with the Yankees hitting coach, Kevin Long, during the offseason and is friends with CC Sabathia.

Like I said, there is no guarantee that Hall will even make the team, but his lack of playing time during the 2011 season makes him a candidate for wild card of the year, much like Bartolo Colon was last season. If his 2010 season proved anything, it's that Hall has the ability to be a major contributor to any team willing to give him a chance.

This will be one of the final moves left for the Yanks to make, with their DH slot still undecided at this point. With the start of spring training less than a week away, expect that role to be taken by the end of this week.