After spending his entire 15-year career with the California-turned-Anaheim-turned-Los Angeles Angels, Anderson completed a $2.5 million, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday.

"I have no idea what to expect," he said during a news conference at Atlanta's spring training stadium. "I went through three uniform changes, but Anaheim was always home. It will be different, but my chapter with the Angels is closed."

The 36-year-old Anderson was a longtime stalwart for the AL team, making three All-Star appearances and batting .300 or better seven times. His best season was 2002, when he finished fourth in MVP balloting after hitting .306 with 29 homers, 123 RBIs and an AL-leading 56 doubles on a team that beat San Francisco in the World Series.

Anderson has 2,368 hits and a career average of .296. He has never batted below .280 in a season.

"We went into the offseason looking to upgrade the pitching staff and to add an outfield bat to hit in the middle of the order," general manager Frank Wren said. "I had a number of guys come up to me and tell me about Garret Anderson and it was all positive. He's a great addition."

The Braves had to go to a backup plan in the outfield after an apparent deal for Ken Griffey Jr. fell through last week. Anderson, a left-handed hitter, will likely platoon in left field with Matt Diaz, the same role the Braves had envisioned for Griffey until he decided to return to the Seattle Mariners.

In an interesting twist, Anderson had been talking with the Mariners — until they signed Griffey. Then he turned his attention to finalizing a deal with the Braves.

Atlanta Braves News News » Braves complete $2.5M deal with OF Anderson 2009-02-24
Braves complete $2.5M deal with OF Anderson 2009-02-24
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) - Garret Anderson will feel a little strange playing for a team other than the Angels. MLB Spring Training