Braves sign Lopez to minor league contract
By john • Dec 17th, 2007 • Category: atlanta braves, javy lopezThe Atlanta Braves have signed catcher Javy Lopez to a minor league contract inviting him to spring training. Lopez did not play last season after being released by the Colorado Rockies in Spring Training after the team thought that rookie Chris Ianetta could actually hit major league pitching.
Lopez, who played for the Braves from 1992-2003, will compete with Clint Sammons and Brayan Pena to back up Brian McCann. Lopez had stated last year that if he returned to a backup role it would have to be with the Braves.
The Braves also recently signed Tom Glavine and the two have a history of chemistry together. Should Lopez make the roster it would seem that the Braves would use him to catcher the 300 game winner Glavine.
If Lopez can do anything in Spring Training to make the team then Brayan Pena could be traded away.
New Bravs GM Frank Wren was excited about the possible return of Loepz.
“It’s a no-lose situation,” Wren said. “If he can do it, that would be great, because we all know Javy has good power and can provide offense. Even the numbers he put up in 2006 were good, especially if you put them in the context of a backup catcher.”
Three times a week over the course of the past five weeks, Lopez has driven more than an hour to work on his defense with Braves officials.
During his 15-season career, Lopez has batted .287 with 260 homers and a .491 slugging percentage. In his last season with the Braves Lopez finished by .328 with a career-high 43 homers and 109 RBIs in 2003. He then signed with the Baltimore Orioles until a trade in August of 2006.
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[...] December 17, 2007 the Atlanta Braves reached out to Lopez giving him a minor league contract with an invite to Spring [...]