Yankees avoid arbitration with Eli Whiteside

The New York Yankees have avoided arbitration with catcher Eli Whiteside, agreeing to a one-year contract with the 33-year-old, the team has announced:

#Yankees agree to terms with catcher Eli Whiteside on a 1-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) November 26, 2012

The Yankees selected Whiteside off waivers from the San Francisco Giants earlier this month. The backstop appeared in 12 games with the Giants last season, collecting one hit, in 11 at-bats. He spent a majority of the 2012 season with San Francisco’s Triple-A affiliate, hitting .224/.296/.303 with 11 doubles, one triple and one home run over 201 at-bats.

Whiteside had spent the past four seasons with the Giants after signing with the club in Nov. of 2008. He was a reserve player for San Francisco, appearing in a total of 199 games over his four seasons with the club.

Whiteside has spent five seasons at the major league level, four with the Giants and one with the Baltimore Orioles in 2005. Over 489 at-bats he owns a career line of .215/.273/.335.