The Phillies have signed infielder Ronnie Belliard to a minor league contract, tweets Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
Belliard, released by the Yankees on Monday, will report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, according to Zolecki. Presumably, the move was made for injury insurance at the infield positions, where the Phils are thin between second baseman Chase Utley being shelved and third baseman Placido Polanco coming off offseason elbow surgery.
Yesterday, the Phillies released Luis Castillo, eliminating him from contention for the second-base gig. So, it looks like the Phils will go with Wilson Valdez as the starter there for now.
Belliard, 35, hit .216/.295/.327 in 185 plate appearances for the Dodgers last year, playing first, second and third.
Just who we need Luis Castillo 2.0
“Luis Castillo 2.0”? Given their respective frames, this is a pretty solid setup for a Belliard-is-fat joke. I guess it’s good on us for letting it go.
Though if I’d had a good one…
Luis Castillo X 2 = Belliard?
Isn’t the second version supposed to be an improvement over the predecessor?
Baby steps
Kind of like Windows ME being an improvement over 97.
Kind of like Windows ME being an improvement over 97.
Oh, look, the Phillies are picking from the Yankees’ scrap heap… for at least the 6th time in 3 years.
Like who?
Dont be angry you couldn’t buy Cliff Lee.
Haha piro so true
YEAH DON’T BE MAD
eric bruntlett. you’re welcome.
When does Jose Vidro get a shot??
We have a while to go Junior Spivey’s up next.
Then Fernando Vina, then Mark Grudzielanek.
Where is Steve Jeltz in all of this?
And wow, I could have just read the post below me. I am sorry Gru, you beat me to it.
Maybe Steve Jeltz is interested in a comeback?
Tadahito Iguchi!!
How could you guys put all of them ahead of Bret Boone?
Since it’s a minor league deal, I don’t mind this move too much. If nothing else, he offers more power than Castillo.
On a side note, having one of fattest second basemen in baseball will make for some easy punchlines.
It’ll be hard for hitters to take it up the middle when they’ve got so little room to use.
The Phillies competing with the Yankees for the best team of 2005?
Where is Bo Hart when you need him
people its only a minor league contract…. Its not like he will take up any space on the roster….
Good thing. Because the guy does take up a lot of space.
See what I did there?
Well that was cheesy,you must be from Wisconsin.