Q: I keep reading that Ronnie Belliard was signed with the hope he would play well and that the Nats could then trade him for prospects. Given that he has outperformed Felipe Lopez all year, any chance they will try to keep Belliard past this year and trade Lopez? Or does the injury to Cristian Guzman pretty much rule that out? -- Tom Perris, Burlington, Ontario

A: Belliard's strong play all season, coupled with Guzman's season-ending thumb injury, certainly throws a wrench into the Nationals' plans. But I still think the end result will be the same: If Jim Bowden is presented with a good trade offer for Belliard, he'll make the deal. Not to say that Belliard hasn't proven to be a better everyday player than Felipe Lopez. The problem is that Lopez is under the Nats' control through 2008. Belliard is a free agent at the end of the season. Unless the Nats decide it's worth it to lock Belliard up now while at the same time getting something decent for Lopez, I don't see it happening.