The Pirates have signed 25-year old 1B/OF Nick Evans to a minor league deal. Evans played in 59 games for the New York Mets last year and he was 45 of 176 (.256 avg, .718 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 4 homers and 25 RBIs. He has now played in 159 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 99 for 386 (.256 avg, .712 OPS) with 54 runs scored, 8 homers and 46 RBIs. The Pirates might have snagged themselves a nice bench player for the 2012 season in Evans.

The Pirates have signed 24-year old righty reliever/starter Kyle Cofield to a minor league deal. Cofield pitched in 17 games (0 starts) in AA-AAA-ball last year and he was 1-2 with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He has now pitched in 135 games (82 starts) in his first seven years in the minors and he is 26-28 with 3 saves, a 4.07 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. Cofield will be a longshot to make the Pirates’ bullpen next spring.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed 28-year old switch-hitting outfielder Brandon Boggs to a minor league deal. Boggs played in 16 games for the Brewers last year and he was 3 for 19 (.158 avg, .746 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 2 homers, 2 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 130 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 68 of 326 (.209 avg, .695 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 10 homers, 43 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Boggs will compete for a spot on the bench for the Pirates next spring.

The Pirates have signed 24-year old righty starting pitcher Shairon Martis to a minor league deal. Martis pitched in 23 games (all starts) in AA-ball last year and he was 8-6 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 with the Washington Nationals. Martis has pitched in 20 games (19 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 6-6 with a 5.33 ERA anda 1.43 WHIP. Martis will get a shot next spring to compete for the long man job in the pen.

The Pirates have signed 29-year old righty swinging C/1B Jake Fox to a minor league deal. Fox played in 27 games for the Orioles last year and he was 15 for 61 (.246 avg, .756 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 2 homers and 6 RBIs. He has now played in 193 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 116 for 489 (.237 avg, .714 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 20 homers and 73 RBIs. Fox is going to have an outstanding shot of making the Pirates as he could serve as the backup catcher and bring big time power off the bench.