Mar 06, 2009 11:23 AM EST

The Cardinals signed free agent Dennys Reyes to a two-year, $3 million contract, pending his passing a team physical.

General manager John Mozeliak finalized the deal during the team's 4-1 exhibition win over Team Dominicana and hours after manager Tony La Russa and his coaching staff underscored a need for help during a morning meeting.

"I think it's safe to say this makes us a better team today than we were yesterday," Mozeliak said moments after the deal. "It's a need Tony and our staff felt remained, and we responded."

Via Post-Dispatch