Atlanta Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager Frank Wren announced today that the Braves have agreed to terms with infielder/outfielder Scott Spiezio on a minor league contract for the 2008 season. Financial terms of the deal were not announced.  Spiezio will begin the season with Triple-A Richmond, which opens play on Thursday (April 3) against Rochester.

 

Spiezio, 35, has appeared in 1,274 career games with four different clubs since 1996. He owns a .255 career batting average, 119 home runs and 549 RBIs and has collected two World Series rings – with the Anaheim Angels in 2002 and with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. Spiezio was released by the Cardinals on February 27 following an off-the-field incident that occurred this past off-season.

 

"After talking with Scott this past weekend and meeting with him this afternoon, we feel he is sincere in his contrition and we are willing to give him a second chance," Wren said. "Scott will workout in Rome (A) tomorrow and then report to our Richmond club on Wednesday."

 

Spiezio made the following statement:

 

"I am very embarrassed and sorry for what happened in the off-season. I have taken steps, including treatment, to ensure it will not happen again. I have taken full responsibility and I am making restitution to the people I have hurt.  I am very appreciative of the second chance I’ve been given. The Braves have made no promises to me, except to give me the opportunity to prove that I have made amends and that I can still perform at this level."