Report: Braves offer Damon 1-year deal

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Braves appear interested in adding Johnny Damon to the top of their lineup.

The Braves have made an offer to the free-agent outfielder, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because no agreement had been reached.

Atlanta's offer is believed to be for one year and include deferred money. Damon's agent, Scott Boras, has said he is seeking at least a two-year deal.

Damon, 36, hit .286 with 24 homers for the Yankees last season and likely would bat leadoff for the Braves.

"I think he'd be a good addition," Braves third baseman Chipper Jones told MLB.com. "He's a guy with experience and he provides us depth at the outfield position."

Atlanta added another former Yankees outfielder in December when it acquired Melky Cabrera in a five-player deal that sent righthander Javier Vazquez to the World Series champions.

Nate McLouth is set as Atlanta's starter in centerfield, and is the probable leadoff hitter if the team does not add Damon or another outfielder. Matt Diaz is expected to get most of the playing time at one corner outfield spot.

Braves manager Bobby Cox said last week he envisions Cabrera playing all three outfield spots and possibly sharing a position with Diaz. Cox said the team is prepared to give 20-year-old outfield prospect Jason Heyward a chance to win a starting job in rightfield. Heyward made only a brief appearance at Triple-A last season and has fewer than 200 at-bats above Class A.