Indians settle on Belliard as second baseman

Ronnie Belliard will enter spring training as the Indians' starting second baseman. AP

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians found their second baseman for next season, signing free agent Ron Belliard to a one-year contract Thursday.

Financial terms were not immediately available.

Belliard, 28, played for the Colorado Rockies last season, batting .277 with eight homers and 50 RBIs in 116 games.

"Ronnie Belliard is a complete and versatile player who has been a consistent offensive player throughout the majority of his major league career," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. "We are excited to add a player with solid defensive skills who has played at three of the four infield positions, and at 28 is just entering the prime of his career."

However, like most of the Rockies, Belliard's statistics were much better in Coors Field than on the road.

His batting average was 50 points higher, he hit six of his homers in Denver and had 31 of his 50 RBIs at home in the high altitude and thin air. Belliard, who made $475,000 last season, also made 15 errors, tied for the second-highest among NL second baseman.

The Indians, though, are counting on him to be their starter at second for at least one season.

The club had been shopping for a second baseman this winter but failed to sign their top choice when free agent Todd Walker rejected a two-year, $2.4 million offer.

The Indians are still hopeful that Brandon Phillips can develop into a starting middle infielder. Phillips won the job in training camp last year as a rookie, but he struggled offensively and was sent down to Triple-A Buffalo at the All-Star break.

Phillips returned in the second half but batted just .208 with six homers and 33 RBIs. He will likely begin next season in the minors.

A .266 career hitter, Belliard was drafted by Milwaukee in 1998. He spent four-plus seasons (1998-2002) with the Brewers, batting a career-high .295 with eight homers and 58 RBIs in 1999.

He became a free agent after the 2002 season and signed a minor league contract with the Rockies in January.