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Nats sign Belliard to Minor League deal
Infielder hit .272 with 13 home runs and 67 RBIs in 2006
By Bill Ladson / MLB.COM
VIERA, Fla. -- Looking to strengthen their bench and protect themselves in case of an injury to starting shortstop Cristian Guzman, the Nationals signed Ronnie Belliard to a non-guaranteed Minor League contract Sunday. If he makes the club, Belliard will make $750,000, plus incentives.
Belliard played with the Indians and Cardinals in 2006, and hit a combined .272 with 13 home runs and 67 RBIs. The 31-year-old was instrumental in the Cardinals' postseason run to the World Series. He made $4 million last season.
Belliard would be the perfect backup to third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and second baseman Felipe Lopez, and if Guzman is not ready to play shortstop or he is unproductive with the bat, Belliard could start at second with Lopez moving back to short.
"I think there is no doubt second base is [Belliard's] best position, and he can also play first base," general manager Jim Bowden said. "[He has] a good bat. It gives us protection in the middle, flexibility in the middle, depth. It gives us a piece like last year. With Daryle Ward, Marlon Anderson and Royce Clayton, we were able to trade [them] at some point later in the year to get Jhonny Nunez, Luis Atilano and Ryan Wagner. We got three young arms [by] having that depth."
Belliard is a career .272 hitter in nine seasons with the Brewers, Rockies, Indians and Cardinals.
Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Infielder hit .272 with 13 home runs and 67 RBIs in 2006
By Bill Ladson / MLB.COM
VIERA, Fla. -- Looking to strengthen their bench and protect themselves in case of an injury to starting shortstop Cristian Guzman, the Nationals signed Ronnie Belliard to a non-guaranteed Minor League contract Sunday. If he makes the club, Belliard will make $750,000, plus incentives.
Belliard played with the Indians and Cardinals in 2006, and hit a combined .272 with 13 home runs and 67 RBIs. The 31-year-old was instrumental in the Cardinals' postseason run to the World Series. He made $4 million last season.
Belliard would be the perfect backup to third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and second baseman Felipe Lopez, and if Guzman is not ready to play shortstop or he is unproductive with the bat, Belliard could start at second with Lopez moving back to short.
"I think there is no doubt second base is [Belliard's] best position, and he can also play first base," general manager Jim Bowden said. "[He has] a good bat. It gives us protection in the middle, flexibility in the middle, depth. It gives us a piece like last year. With Daryle Ward, Marlon Anderson and Royce Clayton, we were able to trade [them] at some point later in the year to get Jhonny Nunez, Luis Atilano and Ryan Wagner. We got three young arms [by] having that depth."
Belliard is a career .272 hitter in nine seasons with the Brewers, Rockies, Indians and Cardinals.
Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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