Dodgers re-sign Ronnie Belliard to one-year deal
Posted on January 27, 2010
Ronnie Belliard of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes a defensive play against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed infielder baseman Ronnie Belliard today to a one-year deal worth $825,000. The 34-year-old Belliard hit .351 for the Dodgers after coming over from the Nationals in a mid-season trade. Nicknamed “Mini-Manny”, Belliard can play first, second or third base, but he is not very good at any of these positions.
Ronnie Belliard of the Los Angeles Dodgers gets ready in the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on September 13, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
It looks like Belliard will join Blake DeWitt and free-agent signee Jamey Carroll in competing for the starting second-base position. Belliard is an 11-year veteran who can be productive off the bench of he doesn’t earn a starting job. Looks like it will be a busy camp when the Dodgers report to Camelback Ranch in Arizona next month.
Ronnie Belliard of the Cleveland Indians bats against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA on June 12, 2005. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Belliard has always been a good hitter, as he boasts a solid .275 career batting average. He had one of his best years with the Indians in 2004 when he made the American League All-Star team and hit .282 with 12 homers and 70 RBIs. He has always had a suspect glove and has gotten by in the big leagues because of his bat.
Ronnie Belliard #10 and Elijah Dukes #34 of the Washington Nationals get ready in the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on May 13, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
The Dodgers are in a desperate mess that has been caused by the ugly divorce between their owners, Frank and Jamie McCourt. The team will probably need to be sold in the near future, much like the Padres were last season under similar circumstances. This is why the club has no money to spend as they need to keep the payroll down in order to make the sale easier. Thus the Dodgers are left to make moves like this- hoping to catch lightning in a bottle for $850,000 at second base. This is good news for Giants fans like me. I hope the divorce drags out in court for a long time!
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