Dodgers agree to deal with Mark Sweeney

The Los Angeles Dodgers, fulfilling manager Joe Torre's desire for a veteran hitter off the bench, agreed to a one-year major league contract with free agent Mark Sweeney.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Sweeney will be paid $600,000, with incentives that could push the deal to $900,000.

Sweeney, 38, has 163 pinch-hits to rank second on Major League Baseball's career list behind Lenny Harris. He led the majors with 24 pinch hits and batted .316 in the role last season.

Sweeney is a .260 career hitter in 13 seasons with St. Louis, San Diego, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Colorado, San Francisco and Los Angeles. He hit .260 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 123 at-bats with the Giants and Dodgers last season.

The Dodgers expect Sweeney to pinch hit and log some at-bats as a reserve at first base and the outfield.

Sweeney also attracted some interest from Atlanta, Arizona and San Diego this offseason. The Padres expect to fill their need for a bat off the bench when they complete a deal with free agent Tony Clark this week.

Jerry Crasnick covers Major League Baseball for ESPN.com.

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