Ronnie Belliard signs with Nats

I am a little late on this one, but the Nats signed Ronnie Belliard to a non-guarenteed minor league deal two days ago, where Belliard can make $750,000 if he makes the team. And heck, why wouldn't he? Manny Acta said Belliard was a lock to make the team. One problem though, will he be happy as a backup?


Since 2003 Belliard has been in the middle of the pack in terms of production for a second baseman. He is a line drive hitter, which would seem to go really well in spacious RFK. But, almost his entire career he has been a regular. Could he adjust well to the bench? The only reason I could see him starting is if Guzman fails again at short and Lopez has to move back over with Belliard at second base. Belliard has some legal issues in his past, most recently an extortion case, but MLB says he is clear - so Im not going to worry about it if the team isn't.