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.
Belliard, 33, is hitting .237/.340/.442 in 259 plate appearances. He’s played first, second, and third base this year for the Nats. Belliard is owed another $395K this year plus $1.9MM in ’09. With Casey Blake in the fold and Nomar Garciaparra off the DL, Belliard makes less sense for the Dodgers than he did in July. Still, he could be a cheap second baseman for ’09 if Jeff Kent retires.
