Surhoff wants to be traded, no backup role

Posted 4:07PM on Tuesday 26th February 2002 ( 23 years ago )

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - B.J. Surhoff made clear Tuesday that if he's not in the Atlanta Braves' starting lineup, he would rather play elsewhere. Surhoff, 37, was Atlanta's starting left fielder last season. He lost that job when the Braves signed free agent third baseman Vinny Castilla and traded for outfielder Gary Sheffield during the offseason. Chipper Jones, the club's leading hitter, is moving from third base to left field. Sheffield takes over in right and Andruw Jones is a fixture in center. "Chances are I'm not going to start in the outfield barring something unforeseen," said Surhoff, who hit .271 with 10 homers and 58 RBIs in 141 games. "I knew that coming in. It's not any revelation to me." He's been working some at first base during spring training, but doesn't think that will change anything since the Braves have indicated they were likely to platoon Julio Franco and Wes Helms. "Whether I have a good spring or not should not affect my situation," said Surhoff, who was traded by Baltimore to the Braves on July 31, 2000. "I'm still at a point in my career that I'd like to play every day. Do you know anybody that would like to be a backup? "I've got a 15-year track record, and I shouldn't have to prove that I can play," said Surhoff, who has a career .281 batting average with 170 home runs and 1,019 RBIs. Braves general manager John Schuerholz had little to say about the situation. Surhoff will get $4.5 million in 2002, the final season of a four-year deal he signed with the Orioles.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/2/198266