Belliard agrees to deal with Nats

[JoseA]

VIERA, Fla. (AP) -- Second baseman Ronnie Belliard agreed to a non-guaranteed, minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on Sunday that will pay him $750,000 if he makes the team.

"We feel it gives us protection in the middle of the diamond going into spring training, plus a good right-handed bat off the bench, which is something this club needed," general manager Jim Bowden said. "It gives us protection in the middle, flexibility in the middle, depth."

The 31-year-old Belliard helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series last season, starting 14 of 16 postseason games.

2B Belliard agrees to minor league deal with Nationals - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

I like the signing, considering Belliard has a big upside after last year's postseason. Plus if he doesnt make the team, we don't lose much....