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"If I can lose 102 games with a ballclub I want to stay with the ballclub and come back the next couple of years and show them that we can fix that thing," Harris said. "I had a good time here. In the beginning things were looking a little shady for me but a lot of injuries came about and that's how I got my opportunity and I was able to perform."

Harris may be one of the many outfielders on the roster, but he doesn't want to be painted with that particular brush.

"I'm an infielder first before anything, but I can't go in there and tell Manny [Acta] that. Where ever they need me I'm ready to do whatever for the team. Me, personally, I'd rather play the infield because there's a lot more action going on, but I'm here to help the team. I'm a utility guy in their eyes and that's how I come in and I'm ready to perform that role."

That role, when the season started, was coming off the bench, but injuries allowed Harris to play a career-high 140 games and he thinks if this team gets healthy, they can compete in the N.L.East this season.

"I want to win and these guys here want to win and I think we have a team right now, with the acquisitions of Josh Willingham, Scott Olsen and Daniel Cabrera, I think we're going to surprise a lot of folks. If we can get Nick Johnson to play 120-130 games we all know what he's capable of doing. I have a lot of respect for Nick as a player and a person and I think he's going to be the comeback player of the year. You can quote me on that one."

Aside from being a leader on the field, Harris is trying to teach some of the younger players how to reach their potential, especially Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes.

"I try to rub off on a few guys. Work ethic doesn't come over night. You have to have a goal and a dream of what you want to accomplish. Now that I have my 2-year deal, that's not going to slow me down. I want more. I want Milledge to Milledge; I want Dukes to be Dukes. Those guys have all the potential in the world and if I can get Milledge in that weight room and help him to understand what he has to do, the sky's the limit for those guys. If I can keep Dukes out of trouble because that's what he's known for, but I don't think he's a trouble maker. He's a fun guy but he's presumed the wrong way and a lot of people don't understand him. We all know if Dukes plays 130 games, he would be amazing."

Harris is trying to teach them that nothing is guaranteed.

"They don't understand what's out there for them. They feel like they have every opportunity but that door can close on you at any point. You have guys all around the world trying to take your job. Just because your Milledge does not mean this next guy won't get to play. He has to go out and work hard just like Ryan Zimmerman and Austin Kearns. There is always someone out there trying to take your spot."