Paul Janish signs 1-year contract with Braves

The Atlanta Braves and Paul Janish avoided arbitration with a one-year deal. The agreement was actually made earlier this offseason, but was not announced until Monday at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Janish was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds last season, after the Braves became thin at shortstop. In 167 at-bats with Atlanta last season he hit .186 with 9 RBI.

For his career, Janish has hit .216 with seven home runs in five big league seasons.

Janish, who turned 30 in October, played primarily shortstop with the Braves last season, but played second base and third base with Cincinnati prior to the trade.

A slick fielder, Janish made just two errors in 55 games for Atlanta last season.

He is expected to back up Andrelton Simmons at shortstop, Dan Uggla at second base and whoever takes over for Chipper Jones at third base.