Outfielder catches on with Braves
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ATLANTA -- Free agent outfielder Robert Fick agreed Monday to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.

The deal is worth $1 million, MLB.com reported, and also includes $350,000 in incentives.

Fick, 29, was an All-Star last season with the Detroit Tigers, hitting .270 with 17 homers and 63 RBI. He led major league outfielders with 21 assists, but he's expected to play first base for the Braves.

"Robert wanted to play for a team that has the chance to win," Fick's agent, Joe Longo, told MLB.com. "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."

Julio Franco and Matt Franco platooned at first in 2002 for Atlanta, and both return in this season. Fick also played catcher for the Tigers.

Fick became a free agent when Detroit failed to offer him a 2003 contract by the Dec. 20 deadline. 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.

The Braves have won 11 consecutive division titles.

"There isn't a better situation I could go to," Fick told MLB.com. He's played catcher, first base, and right field since making his major league debut in 1998.

Longo told MLB.com there were a number of teams that made more financially lucrative offers to Fick. 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.

Fick said he believes the added exposure he'll receive 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."

Finally a good move! I think this will prove to be a key pick-up next year.

Agreed.