Diamondbacks sign Nick Punto to minor league deal

The Diamondbacks have agreed to a minor-league deal with infielder Nick Punto, according to a major-league source. The deal was first reported by CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman.

Punto, 37, was released earlier in the offseason by the Athletics as part of a rebuilding process that has seen the team trade Derek Norris, Jeff Samardzija, Brandon Moss and Josh Donaldson as well as losing Jason Hammel, Luke Gregerson, Jed Lowrie and Jon Lester to free agency. Punto will receive a salary of $2.75 million from the Athletics next season as a result of a vested option based on last year's performance, with the D-Backs only paying the major-league minimum if he makes the major-league roster.

Punto has shown the ability to play at second base, shortstop and third base throughout his career, so he will provide depth behind Aaron Hill, Chris Owings and Yasmani Tomas in the majors for Arizona. The team also has Cliff Pennington and Nick Ahmed available for depth, as well.

In fourteen major-league seasons with the Phillies (2001-2003), Twins (2004-2010), Cardinals (2011), Red Sox (2012), Dodgers (2012-2013) and Athletics (2014), Punto is a lifetime .245/.323/.323 hitter with 19 home runs and 263 RBI. He hit .207/.296/.293 with two home runs and 14 RBI in 73 games with Oakland last year.