ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs, Roberts agree to deal

Jan 31, 2012, 5:09 PM | Updated: 5:14 pm

Ryan Roberts is one of the most popular players on the Arizona Diamondbacks roster, and now
the utility-player-turned-starting-third-baseman will be back with the club for another season.

According to CBS Sports baseball insider John Heyman, a deal was struck Tuesday, allowing the team and player to avoid going to arbitration.

Roberts had a career season in 2011, hitting .249 while slugging 19 home runs and driving in 65. He stole 18 bases, too, making him a valuable part of Arizona’s lineup.

Bringing Roberts back is certainly a good move, as his energy propelled the D-backs to many wins last season and the status of fellow infielder Stephen Drew is clouded. However, Roberts’ career numbers have been anything but stellar, and the 31-year-old will have to prove that last season was not a fluke.

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