Matt Holliday ready to play multiple roles for Yankees

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. _ Matt Holliday said he'll be prepared for any role the Yankees throw at him.

As of now, the primary one will be as the club's DH, but there are likely to be opportunities as a reserve outfielder and first baseman.

"I plan on being ready to do any of the three things," Holliday said Wednesday on a conference call. "Whether it's a little bit of outfield, first base, DH, whatever they want me to do, I plan to be prepared for that through my offseason training. I'll be ready in spring training to do whatever's asked."

Holliday agreed to a one-year, $13-million deal with the Yankees Sunday night _ the contract was official Wednesday after he passed his physical. Holliday, who spent the last 7 { seasons with the Cardinals, said the chance to wear the pinstripes and to be part of a young team were major draws to New York.

"The opportunity to play for such a historic franchise and such amazing organization was really appealing," said Holliday, who turns 37 on Jan. 15. "No. 2, it's a talented young group of players that played amazing baseball the last two months when everybody kind of counted them out. Those are a couple of things that really made this exciting for me."

Holliday had a .246/.322/.461 slash line in 110 games last season, with 20 homers and 62 RBIs. He missed nearly seven weeks late in the season with a broken right thumb before returning for the final weekend of the season.

Holliday disputed the notion that he chose a team that is strictly building for the future _ one that, being on a one-year deal, he likely won't be a part of.

"I think this team has a chance to be very competitive, which was very important to me," he said.

The veteran believes, as do the Yankees, his swing will be perfect for the Stadium.

"I think it's a really good fit," Holliday said. "I think my strength of driving the ball to the right-center field gap line up pretty well. I think I have some at times some miss-hits to right field that could be rewarded with the shorter porch in right field. So I'm excited."