Scott Spiezio and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a US$4.5 million, two-year contract on Thursday, keeping one of the team's top reserves with the World Series champions.
The deal includes a club option for 2009.
The Cardinals also agreed to a one-year contract with pitcher Randy Keisler. The left-hander gets $425,000 if he makes the major league roster, and $110,000 in the minors.
The 34-year-old Spiezio revived his career in St. Louis last season. He signed a minor league contract and made the team as a utility player, making 61 starts at a total of five positions _ all four infield spots, plus left field.
The switch-hitter batted .272 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs in 119 games. He led the team with eight pinch-hit RBIs, including a three-run triple on the final weekend of the season to help St. Louis hang on and win the NL Central title, avoiding a huge collapse.
``You hear the term winning player,'' Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said. ``Scott showed once again why he has been tabbed with such a label.''
Spiezio was a World Series star in 2002 with the Angels and set career highs in several categories in 2003. But in 2005, hindered by a strained side muscle, he got only 47 at-bats with the Mariners.
He showed up in Jupiter, Fla., the Cardinals' spring training site, in mid-February with his wispy-chin beard dyed Cardinal red to signify a fresh start. Spiezio is a free spirit who sang in a garage band called SandFrog, has dabbled at acting and once read the Top 10 list for David Letterman.
Countless fans _ young, old, male, female _ copied the look during the Cardinals' post-season run.
Spiezio drove in 35 runs with two outs, third-best on the team, and had six RBIs in the post-season, replacing slumping third baseman Scott Rolen and outfielder Juan Encarnacion in the lineup.
Spiezio drove in four runs with three extra-base hits in Games 2 and 3 of the NL championship series against the Mets. In Game 2, he had a tying, two-run triple and an RBI double in St. Louis' 9-6 comeback victory over New York and closer Billy Wagner.
``Scott's leadership, versatility and production in the clutch are such strong qualities, and we're happy to announce that he will remain a Cardinal,'' Jocketty said.
The World Series champions' first two moves of the off-season have been retaining key players. Jim Edmonds signed a two-year, $19 million contract last week.
Spiezio's father, Ed, also won a World Series with the Cardinals in 1964 as a reserve player. Ed Spiezio played for the Cardinals, White Sox and Padres in nine seasons.
``It's a dream come true,'' Spiezio said the day after the Cardinals beat the Tigers in a five-game World Series. ``It's a blessing to be a part of this organization with the tradition and the fans after two horrible years in Seattle when baseball just wasn't fun.''
The 30-year-old Keisler had no decisions and a 4.50 ERA in 10 innings spanning 11 appearances last season with the Athletics before being designated for assignment in early August. He is 4-4 with a 6.82 ERA in 51 games over five seasons with 17 starts, also pitching for the Yankees, Padres and Reds.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
