BASEBALL Indians re-sign Ronnie Belliard

The fate of the Washington, D.C., franchise hinges on a vote today.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CLEVELAND -- Second baseman Ronnie Belliard agreed Monday to a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians that avoided salary arbitration.
After signing as a free agent with Cleveland last December, Belliard batted .282 with 12 home runs and a career-high 70 RBIs in 152 games. He also set career-highs in hits (169) and doubles (48) while making the All-Star team for the first time.
Belliard will start at second next season alongside shortstop Jhonny Peralta, who will replace Omar Vizquel.
Padres-Red Sox trade
SAN DIEGO -- Outfielder Dave Roberts was traded by Boston to San Diego for outfielder Jay Payton, infielder Ramon Vazquez, a minor leaguer and $2.65 million.
Expos
WASHINGTON -- With the deal to bring the Montreal Expos to Washington on the brink of collapse, Washington political leaders and baseball officials tried to negotiate a compromise Monday that could lead the District of Columbia Council to reconsider legislation to fund a ballpark for the team.
The head of the District of Columbia Council put the stadium financing bill on the agenda for today's meeting, the group's last scheduled session of the year.
The agreement between the Expos and Washington expires Dec. 31 unless a financing is put in place consistent with the September agreement between the team and Washington Mayor Anthony A. Williams.
Phillies
PHILADELPHIA -- Second baseman Placido Polanco will be back next season after accepting the club's offer of salary arbitration.
The infielder came to the Phillies in the trade that sent All-Star third baseman Scott Rolen to the St. Louis Cardinals in July 2002.
Polanco signed a $3.95 million, one-year contract last February to avoid arbitration, and hit .298 for the Phillies last season with a career-high 17 homers and 55 RBIs.
With former first-round pick Chase Utley expected to take over the job at second base, Polanco will likely be used as a backup next season.
To make room for Polanco on the roster, the Phillies designated catcher Michel Hernandez for assignment.
Outfielder Doug Glanville, meanwhile, rejected arbitration and is now a free agent.
The Phillies have until Jan. 8 to sign him or lose the rights to him until May 1.
Athletics
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Right-hander Chad Bradford agreed to a $1.4 million, one-year contract.
Oakland also reached one-year deals with right-hander Tim Harikkala and second baseman Mark Ellis.
Diamondbacks
PHOENIX -- Arizona did not offer contracts to right-hander Brandon Medders and left-hander Shane Nance by Monday's deadline, making the pair free agents.
Reds
CINCINNATI -- Left-hander Kent Mercker agreed Monday to a $2.6 million, two-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds, who have overhauled their bullpen in the last week.
Mercker, 36, went 3-1 with a 2.55 ERA in a career-high 71 appearances for the Cubs last season.
Mercker is 69-65 in his career with a 4.19 ERA in 412 relief appearances and 150 starts.
He'll be in his third stint with Cincinnati, where he pitched in 1997 and 2003.
He was part of the Reds' payroll purge midway through the 2003 season, when Cincinnati dealt relievers Scott Williamson, Gabe White and Mercker.
The left-hander went to Atlanta for right-hander Matt Belisle.