CLEARWATER, Fla. - Continuing their search for both a righthanded hitter and a contingency plan should Chase Utley's hip rehabilitation extend into the regular season, the Phillies signed veteran utility man Miguel Cairo to a minor league contract yesterday.
Cairo, who turns 35 in May, hit .249 with no home runs and 23 RBI in 221 at-bats for Seattle last season. His versatility - he played every position except centerfield and catcher last season - and his .284 career average as a pinch-hitter were obviously attractive to the Phillies.