Yankees, Bill Hall Reach Agreement

Back in 2006, Bill Hall was a 26-year-old shortstop hitting 35 home runs. That's the sort of player to whom you'd give a seven-year contract. If that had happened, he'd still have two years left on that deal. Gulp. But no one had to give him that contract, so the New York Yankees had the chance to scoop him up on a minor-league deal. From the man himself:

Either Hall will compete for a platoon job with Robinson Cano, or he'll be a utility player if he makes the team. One or the other. The only utility infielder other than Eduardo Nunez in the Yankees' organization with extensive major-league experience is Jayson Nix, but Hall is more experienced in the middle of the infield.

Hall was with the Astros last season, and he opened the season as their #5 hitter. After he was released, he went to the Giants. Though his .158/.220/.211 line with San Francisco improved the team's overall numbers, he was designated for assignment and optioned to the minors after a leg injury in July.