ATLANTA - Even with their Ryan Flaherty leading the NL in hitting, the Atlanta Braves couldn't resist the low-risk opportunity to add Jose Bautista.
The six-time All-Star agreed to a minor-league contract Wednesday with the Braves after impressing team officials at a workout, and he will try to earn playing time at third base.
Bautista, 37, would receive a one-year, $1-million deal if added to the 40-man major league roster. He will report to the Braves extended spring training complex in Kissimmee, Fla., to work himself into game condition while playing third base.
"He's a good player who if and when he gets here can lengthen our lineup," Braves manager Brian Snitker saud. "He's somebody the opposition has got to be aware of because he's that kind of player."
Flaherty took a NL-leading .354 batting average into Wednesday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, but his career average is .221.
The team added another option at third base Wednesday when Johan Camargo was activated from the disabled list. Camargo was expected to be the starter before suffering a right oblique injury.
General manager Alex Anthopoulos said he had talks with Bautista in the offseason. He said those talks never gained momentum.
"I just think where we were going to be financially just wasn't going to make sense for him at the time," Anthopoulos said.
Even so, Anthopoulos remained interested and said Bautista liked what he had seen of the Braves this season. Anthopoulos said Bautista turned down more money from another team to sign with the Braves. Bautista has not seen much time at third base since 2011.
Bautista earned $18 million under a one-year deal with Toronto last season but put up subpar numbers for the second straight year, hitting .203 with 23 homers and 65 RBI in 157 games. Bautista became a free agent and was among several players who remained unsigned during the winter.