Ron Belliard Rumors

Dodgers Win Claim On Ron Belliard?

9:15pm: MLB.com's Bill Ladson thinks the Nats will keep Belliard, because they're in a bind at shortstop due to injuries. FRIDAY, 7:57am: MLB.com's Bill Ladson says Jim Bowden and Ned Colletti have not spoken this week. Ken Rosenthal believes the Dodgers are interested in Belliard, and says he did not clear waivers. Dylan Hernandez says the Dodgers made the claim on Belliard to block the D'Backs, but Rosenthal does not agree. THURSDAY, 11:26pm: According to Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News, the Dodgers won a waiver claim on Nationals infielder Ron Belliard. The two teams are discussing a trade....   Continue Reading

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Dodgers Scrambling for Infield Help

With veteran infielders Nomar Garciaparra and Jeff Kent both likely to miss opening day, the Dodgers are scrambling to find themselves some backups. Ken Rosenthal says that since the Astros are unlikely to trade Mark Loretta while Kaz Matsui is out, L.A. is considering Ron Belliard of the Nationals and Esteban German of the Royals. Another possibility, Morgan Ensberg, seems unlikely, as the Yankees added him to their 40-man roster yesterday. Joe Crede of the White Sox and Brandon Inge of the Tigers are both probably too expensive. This could impact roster decisions Los Angeles will make on Monday, when...   Continue Reading

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Nationals' Surpluses Could Lead To Trades

Nationals GM Jim Bowden signed veterans Dmitri Young and Ron Belliard to curious two-year extensions last year. He's now faced with a logjam at two infield positions. Ben Goessling of the Washington Times describes the first base battle between Young and Nick Johnson, who get along well. Johnson has more trade value, given his age. Neither player is a lock for 150 games though. Johnson is injury-prone, but his perennial .400 OBPs are appealing. He and Young are both signed through '09; Young has a vesting option for '10. The Yankees or Mets could be in the market for Johnson...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Loretta, German, Belliard, Baldelli

An update to the Ken Rosenthal article discussed earlier suggests that either Esteban German or Ron Belliard would be better, cheaper alternatives for the Dodgers than Joe Crede or Brandon Inge. It would take less to get Belliard or German, they're paid less, and either of them could back up Jeff Kent, 40, at second base in addition to playing third. Both players are "attracting the Dodgers' interest" according to Rosenthal. The Baltimore Sun is now reporting that the Orioles have an interest in Mark Loretta. Hopefully this is a sign that the Brian Roberts-to-Chicago saga will soon mercifully come...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Crede, Willits, Rivera, Belliard

Ken Rosenthal checks in with all kinds of hot stove info. Continuing on yesterday's post regarding Joe Crede and the Dodgers , Rosenthal reports that a source close to Dodgers management explained that the team trading for a third baseman like Crede or Brandon Inge is "all about the budget and whether [owner Frank] McCourt will allow them to add money." Rosenthal continues to point out that Crede is a better deal than Inge in terms of their contracts, and that Crede could also be more attractive to Dodgers management because the White Sox might be willing to trade for...   Continue Reading

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Nationals Sign Belliard To Extension

More on this in a bit, but the Nationals have surprisingly locked in Ron Belliard through 2009. He'll get $3.5MM over the two seasons, so you can't really complain about it. Belliard hits for decent average, shows a little pop, and plays multiple positions. Belliard will make $1.6MM in 2008 and $1.9MM in 2009. Nice security for a guy nobody wanted last winter   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Nats After Dunn

Ken Rosenthal's got a new column up; let's dive in. Fun new rumor: the Nationals are pursuing Adam Dunn. Huh? Makes no sense on the surface. Jim Bowden's possible motivation would be to sign Dunn long-term and make him the cornerstone of the franchise. If he fails at that, all would not be lost given the draft pick compensation. Rosenthal says the market for Dunn beyond Washington is a bit foggy - the Twins, Angels, Yankees, Red Sox, and Padres could all get involved but none stand out. Rosenthal adds some color to my recent Nationals post. He mentions that..   Continue Reading

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Nationals Sign Ron Belliard

UPDATE: Baseball Digest Daily is reporting that the Nationals have signed Belliard to a non-guaranteed minor-league contract. RotoWorld says he'll earn $750K upon making the team. A disappointing result for the second baseman. It looks like the best Ron Belliard might be able to manage is a backup infielder role with the Nationals. The club is eyeing him for their bench, though they probably wouldn't pay more than a million or two. Belliard had lousy luck, reaching free agency in a year with a surplus of second basemen. If signed, Belliard would back up Felipe Lopez at second and Ryan..   Continue Reading

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Nationals Sign Ron Belliard

UPDATE: Baseball Digest Daily is reporting that the Nationals have signed Belliard to a non-guaranteed minor-league contract. RotoWorld says he'll earn $750K upon making the team. A disappointing result for the second baseman. It looks like the best Ron Belliard might be able to manage is a backup infielder role with the Nationals. The club is eyeing him for their bench, though they probably wouldn't pay more than a million or two. Belliard had lousy luck, reaching free agency in a year with a surplus of second basemen. If signed, Belliard would back up Felipe Lopez at second and Ryan..   Continue Reading

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Belliard Involved In Extortion Case

Could this be part of the reason Ron Belliard still doesn't have a job? The second baseman has been named in a federal extortion case. According to federal authorities in St. Louis, a man tried to blackmail Belliard into paying $150,000 to keep an alleged affair and pregnancy quiet. Belliard is married with two kids. The details aren't confirmed and Belliard's agent denies his involvement. With the second base free agent market pretty deep this year, all else being equal, this case could have been a reason to avoid Belliard. Just speculating   Continue Reading

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Belliard Involved In Extortion Case

Could this be part of the reason Ron Belliard still doesn't have a job? The second baseman has been named in a federal extortion case. According to federal authorities in St. Louis, a man tried to blackmail Belliard into paying $150,000 to keep an alleged affair and pregnancy quiet. Belliard is married with two kids. The details aren't confirmed and Belliard's agent denies his involvement. With the second base free agent market pretty deep this year, all else being equal, this case could have been a reason to avoid Belliard. Just speculating   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal: Belliard To Cards

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Cardinals will acquire Ron Belliard from the Indians sometime soon. Belliard went 2 for 4 in today's game against Seattle. Will Carroll is reporting that Hector Luna would go to the Tribe. Belliard, a 31 year-old second baseman, was hitting .289/.335/.419 entering today's game. He's been consistently solid since becoming a regular in 2003. The second base class plays at a higher level in the NL; league average is .276/.341/.424. Belliard is also middle of the pack as far as defense, but he will make a skilled double play partner for David Eckstein. Belliard,..   Continue Reading

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