By TODD JACOBSON
Marlon Anderson would like to be an everyday player in the major leagues, but he knows his role, and he knows why the Washington Nationals signed him to a two-year $1.85 million contract yesterday.
"I kind of think of myself as a jack of all trades," Anderson said in a phone interview. "It's one of those things where I just feel happy to have an opportunity to be [in Washington]. They are looking for me to come in and contribute."
Anderson, 31, is expected to be the team's pinch-hitting specialist and a valuable backup at first base, second base and the outfield next season.
He was second in the National League with 18 pinch-hits for the New York Mets last season, and fourth among pinch-hitters with a .321 average (18-for-56).
He batted .264 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs in 123 games with the Mets.
"I think it makes our bench a lot better. It was a hole on our club last year," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. "It certainly strengthens us. He has the ability to play first, second and left, he is a tremendous presence in the clubhouse and a great influence on a team."
"He understands his role now and has really flourished the last few years," Bowden added.
Anderson's signing could mean the end of Carlos Baerga's tenure with the Nationals. Baerga was the team's top pinch-hitter this season as well as a backup infielder, and it leaves second baseman Jamey Carroll's status with the team in jeopardy as well.
Washington signed infielders Bernie Castro and Damian Jackson last month, and also has Junior Spivey and Rick Short on its roster.
Anderson has played with four teams in eight seasons, batting .264 in 860 games, but only recently came into his own a pinch-hitter. He was a starter with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays early in his career, and he didn't discount playing every day with the Nationals.
Anderson will likely also be insurance for regular second baseman Jose Vidro, who this winter is likely to undergo his second offseason knee surgery in as many seasons.
"I am always preparing to play every day," Anderson said. "I always do that. If anything happens my body will be prepared and my mind will be prepared."
Anderson's signing comes while the Nationals are still addressing numerous questions on and off the field.
The team is still without an owner. Bowden will have a second interview with the Boston Red Sox for their vacant GM position, and Washington's coaching staff does not have contracts for the next season.
However, Anderson said he was undeterred by those distractions. He will make $925,000 in 2006 and 2007, a $175,000 raise from his salary with the Mets.
"Coming to Washington last year and seeing the atmosphere and the crowd and the fans, they will get things fixed," said Anderson, who chose the Nationals over the Mets, Phillies and Seattle Mariners. "They like baseball there. Anytime you can go somewhere where they like baseball like that, it's a good place to be."
Whether other free agents feel the same way remains to be seen.
Bowden has said he has felt little resistance from players and is conducting business as usual, seeking primarily pitching.
"We are getting a lot of groundwork done," Bowden said. "It takes time. They [free agents] are very positive. They love the city. They love our direction. They love the young team and the direction we are going."
Nationals representatives met with Florida right-hander A.J. Burnett Wednesday, and Bowden has talked with representatives for pitchers Kevin Millwood, Jarrod Washburn and Jeff Weaver, among others.
Whether they can land those players remains to be seen.
"It's going to be a definite negative," said one agent of the ownership situation. "The [MLB] owners for whatever reason have created the situation where they are going to handicap the potential owners of the Washington Nationals.
"If you are a free agent do you sign with the Nats before you know what the ownership group is? What incentive is there to sign early?"
The Nationals also have talked with Florida outfielder Juan Encarnacion, and Encarnacion's agent, Eric Goldsmith, said the team was among the "leaders" for the athletic outfielder.
"Jim had Juan in Cincinnati so they both know each other quite well," Goldsmith said. "Juan is very comfortable with Jim and the Washington area."
To reach TODD JACOBSON:
Email: tjacobson@freelancestar.com