AtlantaBraves.com

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Based on the production he provided during his 2005 rookie season, the Braves provided Jeff Francoeur with a respectable raise last year.
In fact, his $384,000 salary for the 2006 season was $4,000 more than the current minimum salary, which was significantly increased with the new collective bargaining agreement that was signed in October.

Francoeur was hoping that this increased minimum salary would be factored into his 2007 wages. But when the Braves announced Saturday that they'd exercised their right to simply renew him, the 23-year-old right fielder was reminded that he has virtually zero negotiating rights as a non-arbitration-eligible player.

"We view it as something that ought to be unnecessary," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said of the renewal option that has also been exercised this week on other players, including reigning National League MVP Ryan Howard and San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez.

By renewing Francoeur, the Braves gave themselves the right to provide him a salary equal to or above the new minimum of $380,000. When he left Disney's Wide World of Sports complex on Saturday morning, Francoeur still didn't know his new salary.

"They hold the cards right now," Francoeur said. "Whether I make $5 million or $10 million, it isn't going to change the way that I play or how hard I play."

Francoeur's raise wasn't nearly as generous as the one Howard received when the Phillies opted to give him $900,000. But it was certainly more accommodating than the one provided to Gonzalez, who received a $58,000 raise, putting his salary $500 more than the minimum.

"This does not alter our relationship with Jeff at all," said Schuerholz, indicating that the club will continue to have the same high regard for Francoeur that they've had since selecting him with their first pick in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft.

When it comes time to negotiate contracts with each of their players that haven't acquired the three years of Major League service time necessary to become eligible for arbitration, Schuerholz and his staff annually use a slotted system that accounts for the player's performance from the previous season.

"We are very consistent with the application of our salary policy," Schuerholz said. "Players don't ask us to change the policy when they become eligible for arbitration or free agency, so that it benefits us more."

Francoeur, who has one year, 88 days of service time, hit .260 with 29 homers and 103 RBIs last season. All-Star catcher Brian McCann, who hit .333 with 24 homers and 93 RBIs in 2006, has 29 more days of service than Franceoeur. McCann saw his salary rise from $333,500 in '06 to $440,000 this year.

"You realize this is a business and they've got to do what they do, and you've got to do what you do," Francoeur said. "It's not going to affect how I prepare for the season or what goes on."

Hudson impresses: In order to avoid the struggles that plagued him last season, Tim Hudson is making a conscious effort to resuscitate his sinker. By preventing the Astros from getting a ball out of the infield on Saturday afternoon, he proved he's moving in the right direction.

"They were swinging over top of the sinkers," Hudson said. "That's what I like to see."

Making his Grapefruit League debut in the 6-1 loss to the Astros, Hudson limited the Astros to two infield singles and completed two scoreless innings. He approximated that 90 percent of the 31 pitches he threw were sinkers.

"He was outstanding," Braves manager Bobby Cox said.

While going 13-12 with a 4.86 ERA in 2006, Hudson often found himself rushing toward the plate and leaving his sinker up in the zone.

"A lot of games last year, I was losing 2-0 or 3-0 right now," Hudson said. "So zeros early are good, whether it's Spring Training or real games."

Aybar arrives: With his visa problems solved, Willy Aybar finally arrived in camp on Saturday, 10 days after the club held its first full-squad workout. During his absence, Aybar says he continued his offseason workouts in his native Dominican Republic.

Cox says he still doesn't know when Aybar will begin playing in games.

"He's got to work out and see some balls," Cox said. "He feels bad not being here. But there's nothing you can do about it."

Other signees: The Braves also announced Saturday that they'd also renewed Phil Stockman's contract and reached agreement with 13 other non-arbitration-eligible members of their 40-man roster.

Their most recent signings affected Jose Ascanio, Blaine Boyer, Lance Cormier, Kyle Davies, Joey Devine, Anthony Lerew, Peter Moylan, Chad Paronto, Chuck James, Macay McBride, Aybar, Kelly Johnson, Tony Pena and Martin Prado.

Braves bits: Cox has been impressed by the improved mechanics displayed by Lerew, who registered three strikeouts and allowed three hits in two innings Saturday. ... Johnson, who was hit in the upper chest by a batting-practice line drive on Friday, was held out of Saturday's lineup to allow Pete Orr a chance to play second base. Johnson will return to the lineup Sunday. ... Devine continued to baffle against the Astros, hitting two batters and registering two strikeouts in the ninth.

Coming up: James will make his Grapefruit League debut in Sunday's 1:05 p.m ET game against the Dodgers at Vero Beach.