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Pirates Sign Garrett Atkins

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pirates GM Neal Huntington continues to add experienced major league bats to the roster.

Garrett Atkins will have a chance to earn a spot on the roster by signing a minor league contract with the Pirates. If he makes the roster, he'll earn $800,000.

Atkins will be reunited with Clint Hurdle, who managed him with the Colorado Rockies. Last year with the Baltimore Orioles, Atkins batted .214 before being released.

The 31-year old has a history of hitting homeruns, although those totals have gone down each of the last 4 seasons. His best seasons came in 2006 and 2007 when he hit 29 and 25 HR.

The Pirates look to be preparing their lineup for a lot of platoning. At first base they have Atkins and Lyle Overbay and in right field, they have Matt Diaz and Garrett Jones.

Atkins is a career .294 hitter against lefties and can play third when Hurdle wants to give Pedro Alvarez a day-off.

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