Who among them will be back?

By David O'Brien

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Who among them will be back with Braves?

FREE AGENTS

Two everyday players, both closers and a valuable cog to the rotation. Some hard choices for a franchise watching the bottom line.

Player/2009 salary/Will he be back?

OF Garret Anderson $2.5 million No. A likely returnee to American League

LH Mike Gonzalez $3.45 million Perhaps a 50-50 chance

RH Tim Hudson* $15.5 million Good chance, but probably at $9 million or below

1B Adam LaRoche $7.05 million Hard to tell until the market firms up

RH Rafael Soriano $6.35 million Unlikely; too inconsistent at his price

* The Braves and Hudson have a $12 million mutual option on his contract for 2010. His 2009 salary was $13 million; the $15.5 million figures includes prorated portion of a $10 million signing bonus.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLES

Among the Braves’ five arbitration-eligible players, outfielder Matt Diaz and relievers Peter Moylan and Boone Logan seem certain to be retained. Johnson could possibly be non-tendered, though manager Bobby Cox said Braves "just can't give up" on him yet.

Player/2009 salary/Projected 2010 salary (if tendered)

OF Matt Diaz $1,237,500 $2.2 million

OF Ryan Church $2,800,000 $3.4 million

2B Kelly Johnson $2,825,000 $3.4 million

LH Boone Logan $427,500 $550,000

RH Peter Moylan $410,000 $1 million

-- DAVID O’BRIEN