NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees, in a bit of last-second maneuvering, signed 1999 NL All-Star catcher David Nilsson -- but the deal came one day too late to make him eligible for postseason play.

Nilsson, now preparing to play for his native Australia in the Sydney Olympics, and the Yankees finalized their contract on Aug. 31.

According to baseball rules, however, the paperwork needed to be completed by Aug. 30 to qualify Nilsson for the playoffs and World Series.

"We all did our best to get it done," Alan Nero, Nilsson's agent, said Thursday. "We didn't have any preconceived notion he would be playing in the postseason. It was something we talked about, in case someone got hurt."

Nilsson left the Milwaukee Brewers after last season, saying he wanted to play in the Olympics. He signed with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan, and was released early last month after a disappointing year.

The Yankees, who acquired Jose Canseco, Glenallen Hill and others in late moves, wanted to add depth in their bid for a third straight World Series title. Had the deal been done in time, the Yankees could have added Nilsson to the postseason roster if a player on their 25-man active roster was injured.

"After David was released by Chunichi, I had called all the general managers in the major leagues. The Yankees and Brian Cashman were very aggressive, seeking me out in Japan the day before the deadline," Nero said. "It was like an insurance policy for them."

Nilsson can play for the Yankees during the rest of the regular season, but the Olympic competition runs Sept. 17-27. He can become a free agency after the season and hopes to return to the majors.

"The Yankees are one of the teams he'd have interest in playing for," Nero said. "Brian Cashman has always liked David. I'm sure we'll talk."

Nilsson left the majors after last season, saying it was his goal to play for Australia in the Olympics.

Though professional players from the United States will compete in the Games for the first time, no major league teams let their top talent take part. Chunichi was going to let Nilsson play in Sydney.

Nilsson batted .309 with 21 home runs and 62 RBI for Milwaukee in 1999. The lefty swinging catcher was a lifetime .284 hitter with 105 homers in an eight-year career, spent entirely with the Brewers.

Nilsson, 30, hit .180 with one home run and eight RBI for Chunichi. He was slowed by lower back pain and returned to Australia to be checked.

"He's got a proven track record in the majors, and I don't think he'll have trouble finding a job back over here," Nero said.