Ellis to Cardinals

[Grant77]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/12/cardinals-nearing-one-year-deal-with-mark-ellis.html

 

The Cardinals have a one-year deal with free agent second baseman Mark Ellis, pending only a physical, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). The deal is indeed, final, pending the physical, a source tells FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal (on Twitter). An announcement is expected later this week.

 

Ellis, 36, spent the last two seasons as the Dodgers' primary second baseman. Last year, he hit .270/.323/.351 in 480 plate appearances. Stellar defense bumped his value into the range of about one-and-a-half to three wins above replacement, depending on which WAR recipe you prefer.

 

Looking at the list of available second baggers, Ellis was probably the best overall option left on the market at this point. While other players offered more attractive age or upside, Ellis has been a consistent contributor for nearly a decade.

 

St. Louis had been expected to add a veteran option that could play up the middle, and Ellis should fit in well in the Cardinals infield mix. Top prospect Kolten Wong figures to have the inside track to the everyday job at the keystone. But Ellis offers both a veteran alternative and a platoon option to pair with Wong's left-handed bat.