Schuerholz steps down as Braves general manager

John Schuerholz stepped aside as general manager of the Atlanta Braves on Thursday to become team president after assembling teams that won a record 14 straight division titles and the 1995 World Series.

Schuerholz, who turned 67 last week, remains second in command to Chairman Terry McGuirk but will step away from day-to-day personnel decisions, such as trades, free-agent signings and other roster moves.

He was baseball’s longest-serving general manager with one team, having spent 17 seasons with the Braves after a nine-year stint as GM of the Kansas City Royals.

Assistant general manager Frank Wren, a former GM with the Baltimore Orioles, moves up to replace Schuerholz after spending eight years as his assistant.

With baseball officials starting to receive information from New York investigators leading a national investigation into Internet trafficking in steroids and human growth hormone, several players could face suspension even though they have not failed a drug test.

Under baseball’s drug policy, players can be suspended 50 games for a first positive test for a banned substance and 60 to 80 games for possession or use.

Baseball officials have received evidence linking one player to receipt of steroids from Signature Pharmacy, the Florida company at the heart of the investigation, the New York Times reported Thursday.

The player was not identified in the report. Troy Glaus of the Toronto Blue Jays, Scott Schoeneweis of the New York Mets and Jay Gibbons of the Baltimore Orioles have been linked to steroids in published reports. Gary Matthews Jr. of the Angels, Rick Ankiel of the St. Louis Cardinals and Jerry Hairston Jr. of the Texas Rangers have been linked to HGH in published reports.

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Pinch-hitting specialist Olmedo Saenz and reliever Roberto Hernandez elected free agency, probably ending their respective tenures with the Dodgers. Saenz, 37, batted only .191 this season with four home runs in 110 at-bats. Over his four seasons with the Dodgers, Saenz had a .263 average and 38 homers. The 43-year old Hernandez, a mid-season pick-up, had a 6.64 earned-run average over 22 appearances for the Dodgers.

Philadelphia declined a $5-million option on catcher Rod Barajas and a $2.5-million option on third baseman Abraham Nunez. . . . Cincinnati right-hander Kirk Saarloos refused an assignment to the minors and will become a free agent. . . . Outfielders Lew Ford and Josh Rabe and catcher Matthew LeCroy declined minor league assignments by Minnesota and will become free agents. . . . Tampa Bay announced that senior advisor Don Zimmer will return next year for his 50th season as a major league player, coach or manager.