Outfield Has Holes in Left, Right; Francoeur has Shot

Outfield has holes in left, right; Francoeur has shot

If the season were to open now, center fielder Andruw Jones would really have to earn his Gold Glove. The Braves don't have a left fielder or a right fielder.Already having to replace free agent J.D. Drew in right, the other corner spot also opened up when the Braves dealt both members of last season's productive platoon — Charles Thomas and Eli Marrero — in separate trades.

Although general manager John Schuerholz confirmed Thursday that the Braves had talked to the Chicago Cubs about Sammy Sosa, a deal appears highly unlikely. Schuerholz also said that the Braves aren't considering playing third baseman Chipper Jones or shortstop Rafael Furcal in the outfield. He did say, however, that top prospect Jeff Francoeur will get a look in spring training. Francouer is real close to the major leagues," Schuerholz said. "We're going to give Jeff a chance to come to spring training and show us what he's got. He might excite a lot of people." The 20-year-old Francoeur is still likely to need another season in the minors, though, and the Braves' new left and right fielders are more likely to come from either free agency or trades.

The deal of Marrero to Kansas City for minor league reliever Jorge Vasquez was made to create more payroll flexibility. Although Marrero hit .320 in his platoon role with the rookie Thomas, the Braves didn't consider him an every-day answer in left or right field and needed the $3 million he was owed next season to help address the outfield openings. Schuerholz emphasized that he has plenty of time to put together the final pieces of his roster makeover after already addressing his top priority — the pitching staff. "It might be a soon as next week, or it may be as late as spring training," Schuerholz said. "We're in no rush."

More free agents will become available early next week when players are not tendered contract offers or arbitration. One outfielder that the Braves have had trade interest in previously is Minnesota's 29-year-old Jacque Jones, who hit .264 with 24 homers and 80 RBIs last season. Present free agents that could be consider include Moises Alou, Magglio Ordonez and Jeromy Burnitz. All come with concerns, however.

* Alou hit .293 with 39 homers and 106 RBIs for the Chicago Cubs, but is 38 years old.

* Ordonez is coming off knee surgery and is represented by agent Scott Boras. Ordonez, 30, hit .292 with nine homers and 39 RBIs in 52 games with the Chicago White Sox.

* Burnitz, 35, hit .283 with 37 and 110 RBIs, but that came playing in Colorado and he struck out 124 times.

On Sosa, Schuerholz said, "We had some conversations with the Cubs, as I think every team in baseball will. We would have been asleep at the wheel if we didn't. They could be characterized as very preliminary, and that's all they were."To trade Sosa, the Cubs will have to pick up most of his $17 million contract for next year. Sosa, 36, slumped to .253 with 35 homers and 80 RBIs last season and clashed with manager Dusty Baker.

In addition to Francoeur, Schuerholz said that highly rated Andy Marte, considered the top third base prospect in the minors, will figure in the outfield mix by 2006.
"He's never played the outfield [before] in his life, but he can hit," Schuerholz said.

Corner outfielders are the easiest players in baseball to come by. Salary is the main issue.