Phillies sign Schneider to 1-year deal

For the third year in a row, Brian Schneider will back up Carlos Ruiz behind the plate.

The Phillies agreed Thursday to a one-year, $800,000 contract with Schneider, 34. With $200,000 in incentives tied to games played, Schneider can earn as much as $1 million in 2012. Still, his salary will be reduced from the $1.5 million he made in 2011.

That's because of Schneider's paltry offensive numbers. He hit .176 with a .502 OPS in the worst offensive season of his 12-year career. But the Northampton native is a popular figure in the clubhouse, and the Phillies value the his defensive abilities.

There was a sale on backup catchers during the general managers' meetings in Milwaukee, so the Phillies acted. In their eyes, Schneider's familiarity with the pitching staff was more important than possibly upgrading the position offensively. Schneider developed a successful relationship with rookie Vance Worley and became his personal catcher.

Adding prospects. The deadline for major-league teams to set their 40-man rosters in anticipation of the Rule 5 draft is 11:59 p.m. Friday. The Phillies will add righthander Phillippe Aumont and catcher Sebastian Valle to protect them from selection.

Other eligible players include many Phillies playing in the Arizona Fall League. Lefthanded reliever Jake Diekman has made the best impression with a 0.87 ERA in 10 outings. He will turn 25 in January.

First baseman Cody Overbeck is hitting .304 with six extra-base hits in 79 at-bats. The Phils may take a closer look at Overbeck in spring training for a bench role.

Tyson Gillies also is eligible for selection, but the Phillies could risk leaving him unprotected. The 23-year-old outfielder has played just 31 games in the last two seasons and is hitting .184 in the AFL.

The 40-man roster stands at 35.