ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves re-signed another major free agent Friday, agreeing to a $6 million, one-year contract with catcher Javy Lopez.

Javy Lopez has spent his entire career with the Braves, having been drafted by Atlanta in 1987. (Allsport)

The signing of Lopez, which includes a $7 million player's option for 2003, came just five days after the Braves agreed on a $30 million, three-year contract with closer John Smoltz.

"Javy is more than just a productive player," general manager John Schuerholz said. "He's a rock on our team. This guy is as tough a physical baseball player as there is. People don't know the pains and agonies Javy has played through. We know and appreciate it."

Lopez, a two-time All-Star, agreed to a pay cut after his offensive numbers dipped significantly in 2001. He made $7.75 million in the final season of a three-year, $19.25 million contract.

Also Friday, the Braves offered salary arbitration to first baseman Julio Franco, infielder Keith Lockhart and catcher Eddie Perez. Atlanta did not offer arbitration to pitchers John Burkett, Steve Reed and Rudy Seanez, infielders Rey Sanchez, Kurt Abbott and Ken Caminiti and outfielder Bernard Gilkey.

Lopez was pleased to remain in Atlanta after spending his entire career with the Braves. He was drafted in 1987 and first called up near the end of the 1993 season. He became a full-time starter the following year.

"It's a big relief for me," Lopez said. "I've always wanted to stay a Brave."

He batted .267 this past season, his lowest average since he was a rookie. He also had 17 homers and 66 RBI, his fewest in a full season since 1995.

Lopez has endured plenty of physical ailments while holding down the most demanding position on the field. He played only 65 games in 1999 before tearing up a knee. In 2001, he missed the final week of the regular season and first round of the playoffs with a high ankle sprain.

"We believe he will be fully recovered from the tough, physical two years that he's had," Schuerholz said. "Catchers get beat up. Catchers also get to a certain age where they have to fight off the ravages of time, the ravages of their tough duty behind the plate."

Still, the Braves knew they would have a gaping hole in their lineup if Lopez signed elsewhere.

"We were really focused on bringing Javy back," Schuerholz said. "We really didn't look at other options. We wanted to have him back. He's been a big part of our success and he's a lifetime Brave."

Schuerholz has moved aggressively to lock up the core of the team. Last month, the Braves signed outfielder Andruw Jones to a $75 million, six-year deal, scuttling the possibility of him going on the open market after the 2002 season.

"Having the opportunity to know who they are as people, their character as humans, their competitiveness as players, that's an extra advantage we have," Schuerholz said. "These guys have been in the clubhouse year after year. We know they want to be Braves. We know they want to be champions."