Anderson ‘pleased’ to be a Brave

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — For the first time in his major league career, Garret Anderson is something other than an Angel. For that, the Braves are grateful.

“I’m pleased to be here, and looking forward to helping the Braves in any way I can,” the 36-year-old outfielder said Tuesday, when he was introduced at a news conference.

Their new left fielder has a .296 career average with 272 homers and 1,292 RBI in 14 seasons, all with the variously named Angels of the American League.

“I put on three different uniforms there, three different name changes,” said Anderson, a three-time All-Star who played for the California Angels, Anaheim Angels and Los Angeles Angels, and was the franchise hits and RBIs leader.

“But that chapter of my life is closed. I’m looking forward.”

So are the Braves, who added a left-handed hitter who batted .293 with 15 home runs and 84 RBIs last season, including .338 with runners in scoring position.

“He’ll make a difference,” third baseman Chipper Jones said. “The guy’s big time.”

Manager Bobby Cox called Anderson “a tremendous pickup. This guy still can play practically every day. … All you’ve got to do is just look at his numbers, and the quality of individual he is. He’s got a knack for getting guys in. He puts the ball in play, doesn’t strike out.”

Less than a week after Ken Griffey Jr. turned down Atlanta to sign with Seattle, the Braves signed Anderson to a one-year contract for $2.5 million — about what a utility infielder could command before the economy helped sink many free-agent salaries this offseason, particularly those of corner outfielders.

They agreed to terms Sunday. Anderson flew from his Los Angeles home Monday and passed his physical Tuesday. He’ll wear No. 18.

“We’re thrilled to have Garret as part of our organization,” said general manager Frank Wren, after adding the last major piece to complete an offseason roster revamping that was difficult but ultimately productive.

“It’s a piece that we needed,” Cox said. “Garret fits our lineup.”

Anderson’s career average against lefties (.291) is only eight points lower than his average against right-handers, and Cox might use him against some lefties, rather than a straight left-field platoon with Matt Diaz.

His arrival means outfielders Brandon Jones and Gregor Blanco could face long odds of making the roster. Only the center-field job is open, and out-of-options speedster Josh Anderson is the likely favorite over prospect Jordan Schafer.

Anderson could hit cleanup if Cox decides to keep Jones in the 3-hole. Jones wanted the Braves to add a right-handed bat, but was pleased to get Anderson.

“We’re a little left-handed for my tastes,” Jones said of a lineup that might have only two regular right-handed batters, Yunel Escobar and Jeff Francoeur. “But what are you gonna do? We tried and tried and tried [to get a hitter]. … Garret’s going to help this team win ball games. That’s all I care about.”

Wren said he didn’t view the left-leaning lineup as a problem, since catcher Brian McCann, second baseman Kelly Johnson and first baseman Casey Kotchman hit as well or, in Johnson’s case, better against lefties.

Kotchman played with Anderson for four seasons with the Angels.

“You look at the number of hits he’s accumulated over his career” he said of Anderson, who has 2,368, including 150 or more in 11 seasons. “That puts him in pretty good company. You have over 2,300 hits, you know what you’re doing.”

“He’s just a quality hitter,” said Jones, who, or comparison, has 2,277 hits and 1,374 RBI. “For a long [stretch] he led all of baseball in hits, clutch hits, game-winning RBI …”

Anderson doesn’t take many walks, hence a relatively low career OBP (.327). He also doesn’t strike out much, averaging one strikeout per 7.15 at-bats throughout his career (Jones has averaged one per 6.42 at-bats).

“I like guys who put the ball in play and don’t strike out a lot,” Jones said. “Guys who hit balls all over the field, have some power, and are not fazed by the [pressure situations].”

From 2000 to 2003, Anderson had four consecutive seasons of at least 28 homers and 116 RBIs. For the 2002 World Series champion, he was fourth in MVP balloting after hitting .306 with 29 homers, 123 RBIs and a league-high 56 doubles.