CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) -- David Bell isn't ready to concede his starting job.

Coming off a poor season, the Phillies' third baseman has competition entering spring training. Philadelphia signed infielders Abraham Nunez and Alex Gonzalez in the offseason. Both players had solid years while starting a majority of their games at third base last season.

"There's always something to prove, always some motivation," Bell said Tuesday before the Phillies held their first full-team workout. "There's some things I want to work on."

Bell became a main target for criticism last season when he batted just .248 with 10 homers and 61 RBIs. He hit .400 (54-for-135) against left-handers, but only .199 ( 84-for-422) against right-handers.

Gonzalez batted .269 with nine homers and 38 RBIs in 349 at-bats for Tampa Bay. Nunez hit .285 with five homers and 44 RBIS in 421 at-bats for St. Louis.

Manager Charlie Manuel gave Bell a vote of confidence.

"That's his job to lose," Manuel said. "Knowing David, I don't think he's going to give up his job easy."

But, it's clear Bell has less margin for error now. He probably won't stay in the lineup long enough to break out of a 1-for-20 slump, for example.

"Do I expect more out of him? Of course I do," Manuel said. "This year, if someone's not hitting, and we have more options, it all comes into play. He's not going to just give his position up. He's tough, and he'll battle. We'll see what happens."

The 33-year-old Bell is going into the final season of a four-year, $17 million contract he signed after helping the San Francisco Giants reach the World Series in 2002. He hit .195 and missed half of the 2003 season due to injuries. He had his best all-around season in 2004, hitting .291 with 18 homers and 77 RBIs.

Bell's problems last year began when he missed most of spring training with a recurring back injury. He had just 28 at-bats before starting the regular season. Manuel wants him to get 70 to 80 at-bats this spring.

"It's important to have a whole spring," Bell said. "I always thought spring training was too long. The last two years it was too short. I'm looking forward to going out and playing."

Despite his struggles last year, Bell delivered some important hits in September as the Phillies made a push for the playoffs only to fall one game behind NL wild-card winner Houston.

Bell's first career grand slam sparked a victory over Washington on Sept. 2. He had a game-tying solo homer in the ninth inning the following night and hit a two-out, two-run homer that capped a five-run ninth-inning rally in an 11-10 win at Cincinnati on Sept. 23.

"David was very productive against left-handed pitching last year. It balanced out our lineup," Manuel said. "Defensively, he made 21 errors, but he made some plays that I used to tell him how good he is."

Nunez, a career utility player, got his chance to start last season when Scott Rolen -- the player Bell replaced in Philly -- went down with a season-ending shoulder injury. Nunez could ended up platooning with Bell and start against right-handers.

Gonzalez, a defensive specialist, played shortstop most of his career, but started 91 games at third base last year. He had his best season with Toronto in 2001 when he hit .253 with 17 homers, 76 RBIs and stole 18 bases. Manuel plans to give Gonzalez some starts at first base for Ryan Howard against tough left-handers and he could give All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins an occasional rest.

"More than likely, if a guy is playing good, a manager will get him in the lineup," Manuel said.
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