Tigers#1
01-06-2003, 01:17 PM
ATLANTA -- Robert Fick's search for a winner has led him to Atlanta.
Fick, 29, and the Braves agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth $1 million on Sunday night. The deal, which also includes $350,000 in incentives, will formally be announced on Monday.
"Robert wanted to play for a team that has the chance to win," Fick's agent Joe Longo said. "He looked at the Braves and said, 'Those guys come out to win every day.' He's really looking forward to being a part of that."
Fick , who was not tendered a contract by the Tigers last month, hit .270 with 17 homers and 63 RBIs last year. He has spent his entire career with Detroit and has never been part of a team that has finished higher than third in the AL Central. Now, he'll be part of an organization looking to capture its 12th consecutive division title.
"There isn't a better situation I could go to," Fick said. "I'm kind of still in awe because of it. They expect to go to the World Series every year and it's an honor that they want me. It's the best possible thing that could've happened."
According to Longo, there were a number of teams that made more financially lucrative offers. In fact, Fick was hoping to strike a deal with the world champion Angels. He lives in the Los Angeles area and is good friends with Angels second baseman Adam Kennedy.
"It was never about the money," Longo said. "It was about being able to play for a winner."
Fick believes the added exposure he'll receive while playing with the Braves could help him land a larger payday in the future.
"The opportunity meant everything," Fick said. "I knew I would have to take less money to go to a winning team, and I know if I do well as an Atlanta Brave I'll have a chance to make some more money down the line."
Since making his Major League debut in 1998, Fick has played catcher, first base, and right field. Despite playing the outfield on a regular basis for the first time last year, he produced a Major League-best 21 assists.
Fick has always been known as an aggressive and gritty competitor. He served a five-game suspension in both 2000 and 2001 because of his role in bench-clearing brawls. According to Longo, Devil Rays manager Lou Pinella called Fick and told him he thought he was the best competitor in the American League.
Phone calls from both Braves manager Bobby Cox and general manager John Schuerholz helped Fick make his final decision.
"Bobby called Robert and told him that he has seen him on television and likes the way he plays," Longo said. "He just said he'd like for him to be a part of his team."
Fick led the AL in batting average for much of April last year. He ended up hitting .325 for the month and then fought nagging shoulder discomfort the rest of the year. Surgery repaired torn cartilage in his right shoulder and he'll be ready for the start of Spring Training.
"If you have a healthy Robert Fick, you've got yourself a guy that will hit .300," Longo said. "He's going to give you everything he's got all of the time."
Fick will compete in Spring Training for the first base job with Julio Franco and Matt Franco, the duo who platooned at the position for much of last year.
Fick, 29, and the Braves agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth $1 million on Sunday night. The deal, which also includes $350,000 in incentives, will formally be announced on Monday.
"Robert wanted to play for a team that has the chance to win," Fick's agent Joe Longo said. "He looked at the Braves and said, 'Those guys come out to win every day.' He's really looking forward to being a part of that."
Fick , who was not tendered a contract by the Tigers last month, hit .270 with 17 homers and 63 RBIs last year. He has spent his entire career with Detroit and has never been part of a team that has finished higher than third in the AL Central. Now, he'll be part of an organization looking to capture its 12th consecutive division title.
"There isn't a better situation I could go to," Fick said. "I'm kind of still in awe because of it. They expect to go to the World Series every year and it's an honor that they want me. It's the best possible thing that could've happened."
According to Longo, there were a number of teams that made more financially lucrative offers. In fact, Fick was hoping to strike a deal with the world champion Angels. He lives in the Los Angeles area and is good friends with Angels second baseman Adam Kennedy.
"It was never about the money," Longo said. "It was about being able to play for a winner."
Fick believes the added exposure he'll receive while playing with the Braves could help him land a larger payday in the future.
"The opportunity meant everything," Fick said. "I knew I would have to take less money to go to a winning team, and I know if I do well as an Atlanta Brave I'll have a chance to make some more money down the line."
Since making his Major League debut in 1998, Fick has played catcher, first base, and right field. Despite playing the outfield on a regular basis for the first time last year, he produced a Major League-best 21 assists.
Fick has always been known as an aggressive and gritty competitor. He served a five-game suspension in both 2000 and 2001 because of his role in bench-clearing brawls. According to Longo, Devil Rays manager Lou Pinella called Fick and told him he thought he was the best competitor in the American League.
Phone calls from both Braves manager Bobby Cox and general manager John Schuerholz helped Fick make his final decision.
"Bobby called Robert and told him that he has seen him on television and likes the way he plays," Longo said. "He just said he'd like for him to be a part of his team."
Fick led the AL in batting average for much of April last year. He ended up hitting .325 for the month and then fought nagging shoulder discomfort the rest of the year. Surgery repaired torn cartilage in his right shoulder and he'll be ready for the start of Spring Training.
"If you have a healthy Robert Fick, you've got yourself a guy that will hit .300," Longo said. "He's going to give you everything he's got all of the time."
Fick will compete in Spring Training for the first base job with Julio Franco and Matt Franco, the duo who platooned at the position for much of last year.