Jan 18, 2008 3:37 PM EST

Wilson Betemit and the Yankees avoided arbitration, agreeing to a $1,165,000, one-year contract just before teams and players exchanged figures Friday.

Acquired from the Dodgers at the trade deadline last year in a deal for reliever Scott Proctor, Betemit was one of the role players who gave New York an improved bench down the stretch. He hit .226 with four homers and 24 RBIs in 84 at-bats with the Yankees.

Via AP