The official site reports:

The Yankees signed Raul Chavez to a Minor League contract on Wednesday, setting up a competition with Wil Nieves this spring for the backup catcher's job.

Chavez has been around the block a bit, getting into 9 professional seasons with breaks in 1999 and 2001. In those 9 seasons, he's only played in 170 games or 18.8 games per season. Lifetime, he's a .212 hitter with a .253 OBA. He'll be 34 on opening day.

Also, Jim Baumbach reports that we selected Josh Phelps in the Rule V draft. It's the first time the Yankees have made a selection in the draft since 1996. As per the draft rules, Phelps will go back to the Orioles if he doesn't make the major league roster.

After a solid rookie campaign in 2002 (74 games, .309 AVG, .362 OBA), Phelps hasn't produced much. For his career, he is a .268 hitter with a .336 OBA.