Cardinals re-sign IF-OF Spiezio to two-year deal

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) - The St. Louis Cardinals were not about to let their most versatile player get away.

Scott Spiezio, a switch hitter who played five different positions last season, signed a two-year contract with the defending World Series champions on Thursday.

Financial terms of the deal, which includes a club option for 2009, were not disclosed.

Spiezio, 34, joined the Cardinals last season and proved to be a valuable asset for manager Tony La Russa, who used Spiezio at first base, second base, third base, shortstop and left field. Spiezio played in 119 games, including 61 starts, and hit .272 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI.

In the postseason, Spiezio added six RBI, including a game-tying two-run triple in Game Two of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets.

“You hear the term winning player and that’s what Scott is,” Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said. “Scott showed once again why he has been tabbed with such a label. Scott’s leadership, versatility and production in the clutch are such strong qualities.”

Spiezio hit .304 with runners in scoring position and drove in 35 runs with two outs. He led the team with eight pinch-hit RBI.

Spiezio was a member of the 2002 Anaheim Angels’ championship team, hitting a three-run homer in Game Six of the World Series.

Earlier in the week, the Cardinals re-signed center fielder Jim Edmonds to a two-year contract.