Pirates sign Josh Fields to a minor league deal
The Pirates signed infielder Josh Fields to a minor league contract on Monday with an invite to spring training.
Fields, 28, was non-tendered by the Kansas city Royals in early December.
Fields missed most of the 2010 season, recovering from hip surgery that he had in April. He played in 13 games, post surgery, where he went 15-for-49 (.306 avg) with three homers and six RBIs.
He has appeared in the majors each of the past five seasons –his best came in 2007 where he played in 100 games and hit 23 home runs.
A former first round draft pick (18th overall) in the 2004 draft by the Chicago White Sox, Fields is a career .234 hitter.
Fields can play first, third and left field. He will compete for a spot on the Pirates roster as a utility player.
Kristy Robinson
