DeRosa Non-Tendered

No contract tendered to DeRosa by Braves

The knee injury that ended infielder Mark DeRosa's season might also have ended his career with the Braves. The team didn't tender contracts to DeRosa or corner infielder Mike Hessman on Monday, making them free agents. The Braves haven't ruled out re-signing DeRosa to a salary below what he could expect through arbitration.
He made $725,000 in 2004 and hit a career-low .239 with three home runs and 31 RBIs in 309 at-bats before tearing up his right knee attempting a defensive play Sept. 25. DeRosa had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and cartilage damage. He's ahead of schedule in recovery and fully expects to be ready for spring training, with Atlanta or another team.

The Braves said health wasn't a factor in the decision not to tender. Rather, they have payroll constraints and two young infielders, Nick Green and Wilson Betemit, who are out of options and can't be sent to the minors without exposure to waivers. Prospect Peter Orr also is ready to compete for a backup job after hitting .320 with 10 triples and 24 stolen bases at Class AAA Richmond.

"I'm excited for the possibility of going somewhere else and having a clean slate," DeRosa said. "But also disappointed that there's a chance I might not be back. It's the only organization I've ever known. The comfort zone, the friendships, the comfort level I feel in that clubhouse is probably something I won't have somewhere else. "But if I come back, it's going to be for the right reasons, not just because I'm comfortable here or I'm a likeable guy. It's going to be because I'm a good ballplayer."

Teams had to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players by Monday or they became free agents. The Braves tendered infielders Rafael Furcal and Marcus Giles and relievers Chris Reitsma, Kevin Gryboski and closer Dan Kolb.

DeRosa, 29, began last season as Atlanta's starting third baseman but struggled in April and May before Chipper Jones moved from left field to third base in June. DeRosa returned to the backup infield job he held in 2003 and parts of five other seasons with the Braves.

I always liked DeRo and thought he was going to be a solid starter when he first came up. He's never really materialized into more than a utility infielder, though. That's not enough to keep him around at a high salary on a perennial playoff team.