Yankees add Lind on minor-league deal with spring invite

The New York Yankees have signed first baseman Adam Lind to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training.

Lind, 34, was with the free-agent spring training camp organized by the Major League Baseball Players Association in Bradenton, Fla. In 116 games with the Washington Nationals last year, the veteran served primarily as a pinch hitter while spending 39 games at first base, 25 games in left field, and seven as designated hitter. Over 301 plate appearances, Lind posted a .303/.362/.513 slash line with 14 home runs and 12 doubles.

"It's an insurance policy, obviously," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com regarding Lind, who has an opt-out clause at the conclusion of spring training.

"The way this winter worked out, I'm just happy to have a job," Lind told David Lennon of Newsday referring to the famously slow offseason. Lind also said he was offered another minor-league deal, per Brendan Kuty of NJ.com.

The Yankees have Greg Bird at the top of their first-base depth chart, who was held to 48 games last year due to injury.

Lind has spent 12 years in the majors with the Nationals, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, and Toronto Blue Jays. His most recent home run was the 200th of his career.