Brian Jordan is back with the Braves, but this time at a much cheaper price tag. Jordan signed a one-year contract worth $600,000 (performance incentives could add another $400,000 to it). He made $9.1 million in 2001, his last season with the Braves. Unlike Raul Mondesi, who was guaranteed a starting outfield spot, Jordan will be competing against youngsters such as Ryan Langerhans for a starting role.

Though he was given a clean bill of health during the Braves’ comprehensive physical examination, there is still plenty of doubt over whether Jordan can be productive after posting a total of 11 homers and 51 RBIs over the past two seaseons combined due to his recovery from surgery on his left patella tendon.

If Mondesi has his head on straight and if Jordan has finally recovered fully from surgery the Braves have a pretty nice outfield (especially considering their salaries!). But those are two BIG if’s! If Jordan has a decent spring I think we’ll see him start in left. As the season progresses I think we’ll see more and more platooning of him with Langerhans until Langerhans plays the majority of games. Two reasons for that: First, Jordan fares much better against lefties than righties and most pitchers are, of course, right-handed. Also, nagging injuries will rear their ugly head as the season wears on. If I were Langerhans, I’d be ready to jump in at any time and make the most of the opportunity.

My understanding is Schuerholz still has millions to play with. He must be more worried about state of the bullpen now. Otherwise, I don’t know why he’d settle for Jordan when he can trade for a much more productive and healthy outfielder at a higher price.