Cardinals, Third Baseman Gaetti Agree to $2-Million, One-Year Deal

The St. Louis Cardinals addressed their infield power shortage Monday by agreeing to a $2-million, one-year contract with third baseman Gary Gaetti.

Gaetti, 37, hit .261 with a career-high 35 home runs and had 96 RBIs last year for the Kansas City Royals. He needs eight home runs to reach 300.

“We needed to add some offensive pop to our infield,” Cardinal General Manager Walt Jocketty said. “Gary gives us a proven long-ball threat.”

Scott Cooper, the Cardinals’ third baseman last year, had three home runs and 40 RBIs and batted .230.

Gaetti also was courted by Minnesota, for whom he played in the 1987 World Series against the Cardinals, and Pittsburgh. He chose St. Louis because he thinks the Cardinals are trying to build a contender in the NL Central. He also grew up rooting for the team in nearby Centralia, Ill.