Cardinals sign free agent 2B Mark Ellis

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed free agent second baseman Mark Ellis. Ellis, 36, signed a one-year deal that is worth $5.25 million. He could end up making a total of $6 million based on performance bonuses. He drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the ninth round of the 1999 MLB draft. The Royals ended up trading Ellis to the Oakland Athletics in 2001. He reached the majors for the first time in 2002. He played for the Athletics until June 30, 2011, when he was traded to the Colorado Rockies. He left the Rockies after the 2011 season as a free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He spent two seasons playing for the Dodgers.

Ellis is pretty much known for his defense, and is one of the best defensive second baseman in the league. He almost won a gold glove in 2006 playing for the Athletics. But, that was lost to Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek. His fielding percentage that year broke Bret Boone's single-season AL record for second baseman. Ellis can hit left handed pitching. That will be a good thing for the Cardinals to have. He can hit for power at times, but he won't hit 10-13 home runs like he as able to earlier in his career. He is good at getting extra base hits though. If he enters a game late, his battaing average is .281. So, he's pretty much ready when he's needed. He is also a good leader in the clubhouse and well liked by players on the teams he's played for.

He's played eleven seasons in the MLB. Over those eleven seasons his career stats are: 1,362 games played, 1,311 hits, 251 doubles, 25 triples, 675 runs, 538 rbi's, 78 stolen bases, and a batting average of .265.

Last season for the Dodgers he hit .270 with 6 home runs and 48 rbi's. What did the Cardinals sign Ellis for you might ask? That's because they needed a right handed bat off the bench, and some who can hit left handed pitching. And second baseman Kolten Wong bats left handed. At times Ellis and Wong will platoon, and Ellis might play some thirdbase if he needs to fill in for Matt Carpenter. Ellis should a good pick up for the Cardinals 2014 team. I know Dodgers fans are upset about him leaving the Dodgers. So that should be good thing to know about Ellis.

As for me I like the move. And I hope it works out. The move should work out if Ellis can play well for the Cardinals.

On a side note the Cardinals 2014 coaching staff is complete. They've hired former MLB third baseman David Bell as their assistant hitting coach. Bell played for the Cardinals from 1995-1998. Last season, Bell was the third base coach for the Chicago Cubs. Before last season he was a manager in the Cincinnati Reds minors.