Thursday, December 21, 2006

The Washington Nationals yesterday signed first baseman-catcher Robert Fick to a non-guaranteed contract, making Fick the only free agent from last season's team to re-sign with the club. Should he make the team, Fick will earn $850,000.

Fick, who will be 33 in March, hit .266 and drove in nine runs in 128 at-bats for Washington in 2006, when he served as a backup to catcher Brian Schneider and first baseman Nick Johnson and even played in the outfield. Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden said Fick could provide a veteran offensive presence off the bench.

"He can be a third catcher, back up first, back up right, back up left and give you a good, solid at-bat as a left-handed pinch hitter," Bowden said.

Fick was hampered last season by an elbow injury that cost him all of spring training and the first month of the season, and then tore cartilage in his rib cage in August. With Marlon Anderson and Daryle Ward both left-handed hitting reserves, Fick had a tough time getting at-bats. Anderson and Ward have since been traded.

"I'm comfortable there, and I feel like I have a lot to prove still," Fick said by phone. "I appreciate the way Jim treated me, even when I was hurt. Now, there's no Marlon Anderson, and there's no Daryle Ward, and I've got a chance to be the top guy off the bench."

Team doctors expect Johnson, who broke his right leg in September, to be ready for Opening Day. Even if he's not, club officials would prefer prospect Larry Broadway be ready to play in the majors than make Fick the regular first baseman.

-- Barry Svrluga