Fick on Waivers

[Fragmentsofme]

I liked Fick, but it looks like we're going to lose him as well...

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/atl/news/atl_news.jsp?ymd=20031107&content_id=600714&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

ATLANTA -- Robert Fick passed through unconditional waivers Friday and is now free to explore employment opportunities outside of Atlanta.
Fick, who hit .269 with 11 homers and a career-high 80 RBIs this past season, knew the Braves weren't planning on bringing him back for the 2004 season. Thus, he's now happy to know he'll have some extra time to explore a very crowded free agent market.

Major League teams have until Dec. 20 to offer contracts to their unsigned players for the 2004 season. Instead of waiting another month to realize he wouldn't be tendered a contract, Fick asked the Braves for his release.

"I have no hard feelings toward [Braves general manager John] Schuerholz, or [manager] Bobby [Cox]," Fick said. "They treated me great and gave me everything I ever wanted. It's cool. I wish them the best."

After not being tendered a contract by the Tigers after the 2003 season, he signed a one-year deal with the Braves in January. He earned slightly over $1 million while platooning at first base with Julio Franco.

Fick's inability to avoid a late-season slump that seems to plague him every year had more to do with the Braves' decision not to bring him back than the Division Series incident in which he chopped at Cubs first baseman Eric Karros' arm while attempting to beat out a grounder.

Through the first four months of this past season, Fick had a .302 batting average. But he managed just 25 hits in his last 128 at-bats. The left-handed-hitting veteran has a career .168 batting average in August.

Fick, who was raised in the Los Angeles area, plans to maintain his residence in Atlanta, where he has been working out on a regular basis with Frank Fultz, the Braves' strength and conditioning coach.

Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[Blue56]

he was pretty good! what's gonna happen to chef and maddux!

[Fragmentsofme]

I think we'll resign Shef. Maddux will be gone, unfortunately. He's going to want too much money. Lopez is gone for the same reason, and we've got Estrada coming up. Wainwright (sp?) is supposed to be pretty good, and we'll sign another start pitcher like Colon or Hernandez or Vasquez. I'd like to think Millwood is an option, but Glavine's got his ear for New York. Since we won't be resigning Castilla, I believe DeRosa will be playing 3rd. Our bullpen will consist of Smoltz...and Smoltz. In conclusion, look for 2 big signings, one at firstbase and a starting pitcher, resign Shef, and that's about it. The reported budget is 85 million, so not resigning Maddux and Lopez will leave us with something like 28 million. So we'll be okay, as long as our new starting pitcher (whom ever he may be) and Wainwright aren't busts.

[Blue56]

Well, i heard maddux might sign with the Padres!

[Blue56]

Well i don't think colon will sign with the braves, hopefully he'll go to the red sox!!!

If Sox can't get vlady they should get chef!

[reprap]

After not being tendered a contract by the Tigers after the 2003 season, he signed a one-year deal with the Braves in January. He earned slightly over $1 million while platooning at first base with Julio Franco.

That shoud have been the 2002 season.2003 season just ended.

[Yellow Dog]

Adam LaRoche will more than likely be the Braves' first baseman next year and will be a huge upgrade at that position. He has one of the prettiest swings I've seen in a long time and is a lefty who can, and will, drive the ball to leftfield with power.