The Pirates today reached agreement on a one-year contract with free-agent third baseman Joe Randa, pending his passing a physical.

Financial terms were not immediately available, but his salary will be in the range of $4 million.

Randa, 36, is a 10-year veteran who spent one season with the Pirates in 1997, helping that $9 million team to an unlikely run at the National League Central Division title. He split last season between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Diego Padres and batted .276 with 17 home runs and 68 RBIs. He made $2.15 million.

Randa's addition gives the Pirates the experienced starting third baseman they were seeking and pushes Freddy Sanchez, who held the job late last season, back into an infield utility role.

More details in tomorrow's Post-Gazette.