Braves seeking Griffey
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Atlanta Braves tried to close a deal with Ken Griffey Jr. on Tuesday, hoping the aging slugger who ranks fifth on baseball’s career homer list can bolster an outfield that produced the fewest long balls in the majors last season.
The 39-year-old Griffey is clearly past his prime, but his 2008 numbers — a .249 average, 18 homers and 71 RBIs — were more productive than any of Atlanta’s outfielders.
With right fielder Jeff Francoeur having a miserable season and no one able to win full-time jobs in center and left, the Braves got only 27 homers from those three spots.
Griffey had narrowed his search for a new home to Seattle, where he starred from 1989-99, and the Braves, a team his father played for in the 1980s and long on Junior’s wish list.
Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones said he’s talked with Griffey by phone, hoping to persuade him to sign with the Braves.
“Certainly all signs point to this being a good fit for him,” Jones said after a spring training workout. “He’s wanted to play here for a long time. Now he gets his opportunity. We’ll see if he follows through.”
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