Spiezio signs two-year contract

ST. LOUIS -- Scott Spiezio and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a $4.5 million, two-year contract on Thursday, keeping one of the team's top reserves with the World Series champions.

The deal includes a club option for 2009.

The 34-year-old Spiezio revived his career with the Cardinals last season. He signed a minor league contract and made the team as a utility player, making 61 starts and playing five positions. The switch-hitter batted .272 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs in 119 games.

He led the team with eight pinch-hit RBIs, including a three-run triple on the final weekend of the season to help St. Louis hang on and win the NL Central title.

The World Series champions' first two moves of the offseason have been retaining key players. Jim Edmonds signed a two-year, $19 million contract last week.