Associated Press
The baseball notebook …
ATLANTA ó Braves president John Schuerholz has vowed to never again do business with Rafael Furcal’s agents, whom Schuerholz accused in a newspaper interview of conducting “despicable” dealings with the team.
Schuerholz and Braves general manager Frank Wren were quoted as saying the Wasserman Media Group negotiated dishonestly by taking the team’s signed terms of agreement sheet for Furcal to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who then reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday to re-sign the shortstop.
Wren has said he believed the request by agent Paul Kinzer for a term sheet signed by the Braves meant an agreement had been reached.
Schuerholz said he would never make an offer for any other player represented by the agency, which includes Kinzer and agents Arn Tellem, Adam Katz and Joel Wolfe. Tellem heads the baseball practice.
“Having been in this business for 40-some years, I’ve never seen anybody treated like that,” Schuerholz was quoted as saying in Friday’s editions of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“The Atlanta Braves will no longer do business with that company ó ever. I told Arn Tellem that we can’t trust them to be honest and forthright. I told him that in all my years, I’ve never seen any (agency) act in such a despicable manner.
“It was disgusting and unprofessional. We’re a proud organization, and we won’t allow ourselves to be treated that way. I advised Arn Tellem that whatever players he represents, just scratch us off the list. Take the name of the Atlanta Braves off their speed dial. They can deal with the other 29 clubs, and we’ll deal with the other hundred agents.”
– ATLANTA ó Greg Norton and the Braves agreed Friday to an $800,000, one-year contract, a deal that keeps the pinch-hit specialist in Atlanta.
The 36-year-old Norton led the major leagues with three homers, 18 RBIs and 17 walks as a pinch-hitter last season. A switch-hitter, he ranked second with 18 pinch hits.
SABATHIA BONUS
NEW YORK ó CC Sabathia will receive $9.5 million from the Yankees before he throws his first official pitch in pinstripes.
His $161 million, seven-year contract includes a $9 million signing bonus.
ANGELSANAHEIM, Calif. ó Outfielder Juan Rivera decided to stay with the Los Angeles Angels, agreeing Friday to a $12.75 million, three-year contract.