Philadelphia Phillies sign Yuniesky Betancourt

Free agent infielder Yuniesky Betancourt has signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, a source tells Justin Bopp of MLB Daily Dish. The Phillies have also announced the signing.

Bopp reports that Betancourt's new contract with the Phillies includes an invitation to major league spring training. The veteran infielder has the opportunity to make $1.4 million if he breaks camp with the club.

Prior to signing with the Phillies, Betancourt was in talks with the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays and several other clubs, but negotiations didn't get past conceptual stages, according to Bopp.

Betancourt spent the 2012 season with the Kansas City Royals. Over 215 at-bats, the 30-year-old hit .228/.256/.400 with 14 doubles and seven home runs. While he's spent a majority of his career at shortstop, Betancourt mostly manned second and third base for the Royals.

Over eight seasons at the major league level, Betancourt has hit .266/.290/.392. He offers the Phillies the potential of a veteran reserve player that can help back up their aging infield, which includes Michael Young (36), Jimmy Rollins (34) and Chase Utley (34). He figures to push Freddy Galvis and Michael Martinez for a spot on the Phillies' bench.

Here's Betancourt's take on his agreement with the Phillies:

"I was humbled to see the interest that many teams showed in me. However, when I was presented the chance to share an infield with Rollins, Utley, Young, and Howard, who alone make up the best infield in baseball, it was too good to pass up. I am hungry and ready to show up every day, and do my best to contribute in any way that my team needs."