Freese is back in the NL Central ... but he'll be wearing Pirate gold

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Infielder David Freese and the Pittsburgh Pirates agreed Friday to a $3 million, one-year contract.

The 32-year-old, an All-Star with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012, hit .257 with 27 doubles, 14 homers and 56 RBIs last year with the Los Angeles Angels. He has a .276 career average with 68 homers and 348 RBIs for St. Louis (2009-13) and the Angels (2014-15).

Freese was MVP of the NL Championship Series and World Series in 2011, when he hit .397 with five homers and 21 RBIs during the postseason.

To clear a roster spot, the Pirates designated left-hander Jesse Biddle for assignment.