Braves News

Braves want big bat
"Teams that have talked to the Braves say they don't want to deal for just another bat. They want a cleanup-hitter kind of bat. So Javy Vazquez, Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami are all out there as big-time Rumor Central fodder. But when teams zero in on Vazquez, they find the Braves are trying to steer the conversations toward Lowe, who has three years and $45 million left on the contract he signed last winter. If the Braves can move Lowe, they're expected to try to work out an extension with Vazquez, who is a year away from free agency. But can Lowe -- who allowed 299 baserunners in 194 2/3 innings -- get them the kind of bat they need? And is there even going to be a true cleanup hitter ..."
Braves are expected to take offers on Lowe and Vazquez
"Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez: The Braves are expected to take offers on Lowe and/or Vazquez as they expect to pare down from six established starters to five. The Yankees could have some interest in Lowe, "but not at $16 million a year for three years," one person familiar with their thinking said. Vazquez was terrific last year, but one GM said, "Wherever he does go, he should stay in the National League.""
Gonzalez is now with Boras
"Two Major League sources have confirmed that Mike Gonzalez has chosen Scott Boras to now serve as his agent. The left-handed reliever had previously been represented by Dan Lozano of the Beverly Hills Sports Council. Boras' affiliation should not have much affect on whether or not the Braves attempt to get into a bidding war to secure Gonzalez's services. The well-known agent and Frank Wren seem to have a good working relationship. While it seems highly unlikely that Rafael Soriano will return to Atlanta, there still seems to be an outside shot that the Braves will attempt to re-sign Gonzalez. But the level of their interest will be based on the cost that is set courtesy of the ..."
Interest in Wagner still strong
"Teams would have to surrender a draft pick in order to sign Billy Wagner, but interest in the left-hander remains strong. Bean Stringfellow, Wagner's agent, said Monday that eight clubs have called to express interest in Wagner, a Type A free agent. "The best way to put it," Stringfellow said, "is that the teams that called are aware that he's a Type A free agent, and they're calling anyway." Boston, Atlanta, Washington, Houston and Baltimore are on the list, according to Stringfellow, along with three teams that preferred to remain anonymous. Of that group, Stringfellow said only the Red Sox — Wagner's most recent team — would slot him in a role other than closing. The unnamed teams are ..."
Hanson third in NL Rookie voting
"Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson met or surpassed all expectations in his first major league season, but so did a couple of other National League East rookies. Florida outfielder Chris Coghlan edged Philadelphia pitcher J.A. Happ for the NL Rookie of the Year award announced Monday, with Hanson third in the voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Coghlan, who led the majors with 113 hits and a .372 average after the All-Star break, received 17 of the 32-first-place votes and 105 total points in the BBWAA balloting. Happ (12-4, 2.93 ERA) got 10 first-place votes and 94 points. Hanson wasn't called up from Class AAA until June, while Happ started out in Philadelphia's bullpen ..."
Braves face difficult free-agent decisions
"As the Braves and other teams explore trade and free-agent possibilities, many wrestle with a situation prevalent in baseball's changed economic landscape. Should they pursue a "Type A" free agent if it means giving up a first-round draft pick as compensation for signing him? For instance, a free agent such as Boston Red Sox closer Billy Wagner. Before free-agent rankings came out last week and Wagner was classified as a Type A, the Braves discussed the possibility of the 38-year-old left-hander as a potential replacement if they lost their free-agent closers, Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez (both of them are also Type A; more on that in a moment). But with Wagner as Type A instead of ..."
Braves act quickly to lock up Hudson
"Tim Hudson agreed to a three-year, $28 million contract with the Braves on Thursday, giving the team a wealth of starting pitching and setting up a likely trade. Hudson could have returned to the Braves under a $12 million option, but the sides focused on a longer deal after the right-hander showed he had overcome major elbow surgery. His new deal calls for salaries of $9 million in each of the next three seasons, and the Braves get a $9 million club option for 2013 with a $1 million buyout. If Hudson pitches at least 600 innings over the next three seasons, he would receive a $500,000 bonus after the 2012 season. The pitcher said it took longer to schedule a physical than the actual ..."
Hudson gets three-year, $28 million extension
"Now that the Braves' starting rotation and Tim Hudson's surgically repaired arm both appear stronger than they've been in several years, Hudson hoped to stick around to see how far they could take things. The former 20-game winner got his wish Thursday after completing a three-year, $28 million extension that includes a fourth-year option for 2013. "I'm excited, and my family is excited," said Hudson, 34, who last season was 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in seven starts after a year-long recovery from ligament-transplant elbow surgery. "Our home is here in the Southeast, in Alabama and Atlanta. We're just really excited that I'm going to be here three more years and hopefully a fourth. "I hope I can ..."
McCann wins third Silver Slugger in four years
"Overcoming an April vision scare made winning another National League Silver Slugger Award even more special for Braves catcher Brian McCann. After hitting .281 and leading NL catchers in home runs (21), RBIs (94) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.835), McCann won the award as the NL's top hitting catcher for the second consecutive season and third time in four seasons. He hit .195 in 13 games before going on the disabled list with blurred vision. After contact lenses and medication failed to correct the problem, McCann got sports glasses and hit .289 with 87 RBIs after returning May 8."
Braves' Hudson signs three-year extension
"It's official – the Braves have finalized a three-year contract extension with pitcher Tim Hudson, a deal that includes a fourth-year option for 2013. The contract is believed to be worth close to $9 million per season. "We are excited to have Tim back as a big part of our club the next three years," general manager Frank Wren said in the news release. "As we maintain the strength of our team, which is the starting pitching, Tim provides veteran leadership that is invaluable to our young pitchers." The Braves have scheduled a 10:30 a.m. conference call. Hudson, 33, went 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in seven late-season starts for the Braves in 2009 after a year-long recovery from ..."
Wren gets ball rolling on potential trades
"Before Frank Wren caught a flight Wednesday from Chicago to Phoenix to see Braves pitching prospects in the Arizona Fall League, the Braves general manager met with teams interested in some of his team's older pitchers. The Braves have a surplus of starting pitchers, and during the three-day general managers meetings they talked with teams about trading one of them "We have valuable assets that almost every club here is looking for, so I think we'll be patient and watch how things develop in the first part of the winter," Wren said. "Between now and Indianapolis [site of the winter meetings from Dec. 7-10], I'm sure we'll have a lot of other discussions, but we're not in a great rush." The ..."
Braves fielding offers for starting pitching
"Braves GM Frank Wren said they would look to field offers on a couple of their starting pitchers. That includes Derek Lowe, who could draw interest from the Yankees as an alternative to John Lackey. "We're in a position where people know we have an excess in starting pitching," Wren said. He said they could go use one of their starters in another role but that that's "unlikely." The Braves are looking for offense, and a corner outfielder with power would fit them."
Braves should pursue a trade for Adrian Gonzalez
"The last time the Braves made one of those, "The future is now," trades, John Schuerholz sent a bundle of prospects to the Texas Rangers for Mark Teixeira. Didn't work out. Teixeira wasn't the missing piece for a World Series team. He wasn't even the missing piece for a second-place team. Here's another chance to get it right. I don't know if the Braves are one player away from playing for a championship. But Adrian Gonzalez gets them closer than any other player they could acquire. Economics may force the San Diego Padres to trade the All-Star first baseman. There is no downside to getting Gonzalez, other than whatever/whoever it is the Braves would have to send San Diego in a trade. But ..."
Braves hire former Red Sox pitching coach
"They have a bevy of pitching prospects in their organization, and the Braves believe they've hired the right man to oversee the development of those young arms. Former major league pitching coach Dave Wallace is the new minor league pitching coordinator for the Braves, who also announced Tuesday that Garey Ingram was hired as the new Class AA Mississippi hitting coach. Wallace, 62, was pitching coach of the 2004 World Series champion Boston Red Sox. He also served as pitching coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and Houston Astros, and in a variety of other coaching and front-office positions. "When you have an opportunity to get a Dave Wallace, you go out and get him," ..."
Free-agent market thin at first base
"Last year, the first-base class of free agents had a first-class front-runner in Mark Teixeira. This time around, it's more of a contender-by-committee situation, with talent available but no Type A headliner to pull in anything close to what Big Tex commanded on his joyride to the Bronx. Carlos Delgado was on the "A Team" a few years back, but after hip surgery and a down year in New York, he's Type B and a possible question mark in the areas of mobility and bat speed at the age of 37 (38 in late June). And speaking of question marks, Nick Johnson, another attractive free-agent option because of his high on-base percentage (career .402), just can't seem to stay healthy for a full ..."
Vazquez could be going, but I bet he stays
"The well sourced Buster Olney of ESPN's Insiders keeps hearing the Braves will trade their best pitcher. (Link requires registration.) Writes Mr. Olney: "Some rival executives are convinced that Atlanta's Javier Vazquez, who was arguably one of the four best pitchers in the National League this past season, will be traded in the weeks ahead. Vazquez will make $11.5 million next season before becoming eligible for free agency, so the Braves might be compelled to move him now to take advantage of his value. Atlanta needs a right-handed-hitting outfielder, and the other possible trade pieces on the Braves' pitching staff - Derek Lowe (who is owed $45 million over the next three seasons) and ..."
Braves' prospect Minor motivated by skeptics
"As might be surmised from the fact he was matriculated at Vanderbilt and a student in good standing for the past three years, Braves pitching prospect Mike Minor is sharp. The left-hander, who'll turn 22 on Dec. 26, is aware there was some dissenting opinion regarding his worthiness of being the No. 7 pick in baseball's June draft. "I don't really look up things like that, but [the sentiment] is out there," he said last week in Arizona, where Minor and five other Braves prospects are playing for the Peoria Saguaros. "It does motivate me," he said, "but at the same time, I just want to laugh in their faces. I want to meet these people who say that, because the things they say -- it's ..."
Figgins a tough decision for Angels
"On July 14, 2001, the Register reported the Angels had traded Kimera Bartee to Colorado for an infielder named Desmond Figgins. Desmond DeChone Figgins, to be precise. None of his three names seemed destined for fame. Figgins had spent two years in the Carolina League. He did have a fanciful 34 triples that second year, but he was in Double-A when the Angels got him. It was hard to imagine that he would ever be a tough decision for the Angels. He is now. Assuming that he files for free agency, Chone Figgins is fixing to find out how much he is loved and, more important, valued. He is one of the best offensive players in this class. Even the most critical Angels fans must admit that Figgins ..."
Braves' prospect to start in Rising Stars game
"Left-handed pitcher Mike Minor, the Braves' first-round draft choice in 2009 out of Vanderbilt, is scheduled to start Saturday night in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Game. First pitch is set for 8:15 p.m., and the game is to be shown on the MLB Network. Minor, the seventh pick of the June draft, is 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA in five starts for the Peoria Saguaros. He had been scheduled to start Saturday night against Steven Strasburg, who was taken No. 1 overall in 2009 by the Washington Nationals, but Strasburg was scratched because of a neck strain. Also, Joshua Fields, a former Georgia Bulldogs star reliever, has been selected to play in the game. Fields was a first-round draft ..."
With Hudson back, should Hanson become a closer?
"I'm just throwing it out there, OK? So don't all scream at once. (If you do choose to scream, please take turns.) So here goes: With the re-signing of Tim Hudson, the Braves have six starting pitchers under contract for 2010. The baseball truism holds that a team can never have too much pitching, but this one just might. The obvious solution would be to make Kenshin Kawakami a reliever, except for a couple of things: He makes too much money (around $8 million) to slot into middle relief and he generates too many baserunners to close. So …. what about this? Tommy Hanson as closer. I know, I know. Would any organization in its right mind redeploy its best pitching prospect in a generation so ..."
Hudson excited about new contract
"Being home with his family during baseball season is nice, but pitcher Tim Hudson said he wouldn't have agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Braves for that alone. "It's really convenient from the family standpoint," he said Thursday. "But I'm excited that I'm going to be with this organization for another three years because I think we have a chance to be really good. "I'm excited about being able to help the organization get back to the position we used to be in, which is a championship club. To me, being part of that is more special than going through free agency and just going to the team I think has the best chance to win the World Series." Terms were finalized this week ..."
Agent: Braves sign veteran reliever Proctor
"The Braves signed veteran reliever Scott Proctor to a one-year contract on Wednesday, according to his agent. The team hopes he can overcome two recent elbow surgeries and regain something akin to his form. The right-hander missed the entire 2009 season with the Florida Marlins while recovering from ligament-transplant elbow surgery in May, after flexor-tendon surgery on the elbow in October 2008. The Braves have not confirmed the signing, as teams are urged by Major League Baseball not to make such announcements during the World Series. Soon after the World Series, the Braves are also expected to announce pitcher Tim Hudson has signed a three-year contract. He passed his physical this ..."
Hudson set to extend contract with Braves
"It appears that Tim Hudson has taken care of the small details that were standing in the way of the completion of the three-year contract extension that the Braves have provided. Hudson has passed his physical and now may only have to wait for the conclusion of the World Series to have the Braves formally announce that they have provided this extension that would keep him in Atlanta through the end of the 2012 season. After agreeing to the terms of this extension last week, the Braves had to find a doctor that would be approved by their insurance company. Hudson went 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in the seven starts that he made after returning from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery in ..."
Top draft pick Minor progressing in fall league
"Braves phenom Jason Heyward's Arizona Fall League stint ended abruptly with a strained back, but general manager Frank Wren has other Braves prospects to check out when he travels to Phoenix in two weeks. Six others are playing for the Peoria Saguaros, including first baseman Freddie Freeman, shortstop Brandon Hicks, and pitchers Mike Minor, Craig Kimbrel, Lee Hyde and Jeff Lyman. Heyward's injury isn't serious, but likely will require a few weeks of rest and rehab. The fall league lasts only through mid-November, so the slugging outfielder will stay home in McDonough. Here's a look at how other Braves prospects are doing in the desert. Freeman: The sweet-swinger had a sluggish start in ..."
Hudson and Braves close to deal
"Pitcher Tim Hudson is expected to sign a three-year contract extension with the Braves by early next week, a person familiar with negotiations said. The Braves and Hudson's representative have made rapid progress in negotiations on a deal, which could be completed as early as Friday. It's believed it will be worth approximately $9 million per season. The extension for Hudson, 34, would replace a $12 million option the Braves hold on the right-hander's contract for 2010. The Braves have until three days after the World Series to make a decision on that option. If the option were exercised, Hudson would have the right to refuse it and become a free agent. The Alabama native said he would ..."
Injury knocks Heyward out of Fall League
"A lower-back strain for Braves outfield prospect Jason Heyward has ended his Arizona Fall League season after just four games. Heyward, 20, was examined Tuesday by Dr. Marvin Royster, who diagnosed back inflammation that was radiating to Heyward's gluteus. He will undergo treatment, rest for a few weeks and not return to the fall league, which runs through mid-November. The Braves don't believe it will affect the former Henry County High School star in his preparations for spring training and the 2010 season. Heyward, recently named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year, will be invited to his second major league spring training in February and this time the Braves say he ..."
Hudson, Braves to resume negotiations
"The Braves and pitcher Tim Hudson's agent plan to resume negotiations this week on a contract extension expected to be for "at least" three years, a person familiar with the situation said Sunday. The parties last week began discussing a deal that could be worth $9 million or more annually for the 34-year-old right-hander. It's unclear if the team would go to a guaranteed fourth year or offer an option year. If a deal is struck, the new contract would presumably replace a $12-million option the Braves hold on Hudson's contract for 2010. The club has until three days after the World Series to pick up or decline that option, the impetus for negotiating a new deal so soon after the season. ..."
Prado likely to keep Braves' second-base job
"It's too early to know how the Braves will go about adding a power hitter and filling expected bullpen vacancies, but second base appears set with Martin Prado. Despite a recent comment by manager Bobby Cox, who mentioned possibly moving Prado to right field and not "giving up" on second baseman Kelly Johnson, it sounds more likely that Prado will keep the starting job he won last summer. "I think we watched Martin Prado become our everyday second baseman in the second half," Braves general manager Frank Wren said, "and ... going into spring training, there's no reason to think anything's changed.""
La Russa will have options, if he wants them
"A year from now, four marquee franchises — the Braves, Cubs, Mets and Dodgers — all could have managerial openings. Tony La Russa isn't likely to be interested. Bobby Valentine might be. La Russa, 65, currently is deciding whether he wants to return to the Cardinals. He does not sound enthused about starting over with another club. If La Russa manages next season, it will be with the Cardinals. And even if he signs only a one-year contract, he probably would be unwilling to accept a multi-year deal with another club next winter. "Looking ahead, I don't see that I can ever make that commitment to someone," La Russa said Wednesday in a telephone interview. "The way I look at it now, when ..."
Campillo, Carlyle dropped from Braves roster
"Pitchers Jorge Campillo, Buddy Carlyle and Vladimir Nunez were removed from the Braves' 40-man roster and opted for free agency last week, though that doesn't necessarily mean the team has cut ties with the right-handers. The club could offer any of them contracts later, probably minor-league deals since major-league roster spots are needed to protect younger players during the offseason. "We will make decisions on them sometime in the future," general manager Frank Wren said. Campillo was 8-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 39 games (25 starts) as a 29-year-old rookie in 2008, but made just five relief appearances in 2009 before having rotator cuff surgery. He hopes to be recovered in time for spring ..."
Countdown swaps: Braves, Falcons, MeAngelo and Marge
"The Count always looks forward to baseball trade talks. He can never resist adding a new bat. (Sorry. It was sitting right there.) Anyway, I know the baseball offseason won't officially start until the World Series, when hopefully the gluttonous New York Yankees choke and keel over like an over-sized mutant ATM machine that spits out one too many withdrawals during free agency. But since agent Scott Boras has begun his pimping duties, I figured Braves fans should know something early. Matt Holliday? Ain't happening. We count down . . . 10. Boras: I've got your Holliday right hereIf this makes you feel any better, it was Holliday, the solid hitting outfielder, who greased the skids for the ..."
Campillo, Carlyle dropped from Braves roster
"Pitchers Jorge Campillo, Buddy Carlyle and Vladimir Nunez were removed from the Braves' 40-man roster and opted for free agency last week, though that doesn't necessarily mean the team has cut ties with the right-handers. The club could offer any of them contracts later, probably minor-league deals since major-league roster spots are needed to protect younger players during the offseason. "We will make decisions on them sometime in the future," general manager Frank Wren said. Campillo was 8-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 39 games (25 starts) as a 29-year-old rookie in 2008, but made just five relief appearances in 2009 before having rotator cuff surgery. He hopes to be recovered in time for spring ..."
To stay with Braves, Hudson says he'll take less pay
"It's rare to hear a player openly state that he'll take less from his current team than from others, especially before negotiations have even begun. That's what Braves pitcher Tim Hudson did last week, saying he would take a "hometown discount" -- less money to stay with the Braves than he could get on the open market. His statement indicated a few things. First, Hudson knows the Braves have five other starters under contractual control, and don't feel obligated to compete with higher offers Hudson might receive if he becomes a free agent. Braves starters led the majors with a 3.52 ERA, which included only seven late-season starts from Hudson after returning from elbow surgery. "They don't ..."
McCann has Round 2 of Lasik eye surgery
"Braves catcher Brian McCann had a second round of Lasik eye surgery Friday, in hopes of playing next season without glasses he wore for most of the 2009 season. The procedure Friday was referred to as an enhancement to Lasik surgery McCann had in 2007. Both surgeries were by Dr. Alan Kozarsky, the Atlanta ophthalmologist who did Lasik on Tiger Woods and Greg Maddux, among others. McCann hit .195 in April before going on the disabled list with blurred vision, which doctors tried to correct using various drops and contact lenses. Eventually he was fitted for prescription glasses, after never playing in glasses before."
Hudson denies report he's planning to leave
"Braves pitcher Tim Hudson reiterated Wednesday that he's willing to accept a "hometown discount" to stay with the Braves, while refuting a report that he's planning to become a free agent to see what he can get on the open market. A report on FoxSports.com, citing unnamed "major-league sources," said that Hudson, "barring a last-minute, knockout offer from the Braves," planned to become a free agent. "This makes me sound like I'm saying, 'Screw y'all, I'm out of here,' which isn't the case at all," Hudson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I've said all along that Atlanta was the place I want to be and that I'm willing to give them a hometown discount. "I just hope when we start ..."
Hudson still hopeful to remain in Atlanta
"Count Tim Hudson among those who were baffled by some recent reports that suggested that he's going to test the free-agent market if the Braves do not wow him with the financial aspect of a contract extension. When I boarded my flight from Denver to Los Angeles yesterday afternoon, I saw that Ken Rosenthal's report on Hudson began with this sentence: Barring a last-minute, knockout offer from the Braves, right-hander Tim Hudson plans to become a free agent, according to major-league sources. My immediate reaction was that this is just one of the many agent-influenced articles that we're going to see over the next couple of weeks and months. When I arrived at LAX and saw a text from ..."
Braves lose scouting director to Nationals
"The Braves are losing scouting director Roy Clark, who accepted a job with the Washington Nationals after 20 years in the Braves organization. After interviewing Monday in Washington, Clark told the Braves Tuesday that he had accepted a post as Nationals assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel. Clark, 51, will have wide-ranging duties including oversight of player development and all scouting -- amateur, professional, and international. The Braves have three different directors in charge of player development, international scouting and amateur scouting, and two other team officials run professional scouting. "It's one of those situations that come along in your ..."
Barring big offer, Braves' Hudson to be free agent
"Barring a last-minute, knockout offer from the Braves, right-hander Tim Hudson plans to become a free agent, according to major-league sources. Hudson's contract with the Braves includes a $12 million mutual option for 2010. If Hudson declined his end of the deal, he would be free to negotiate with any team. Other than Angels right-hander John Lackey, the upcoming free-agent class is largely devoid of top-of-the-rotation starters. Hudson, 34, fits that description when healthy, and he proved that he is recovered from Tommy John surgery by going 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in seven starts after rejoining the Braves on Sept. 1. The Braves are likely to exercise their option on Hudson, a decision ..."
Braves may lose scouting director to Nationals
"Longtime Braves scouting director Roy Clark might leave the organization for a higher-ranking job with the Washington Nationals. Clark interviewed Monday in Washington for a position as assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel, with sweeping responsibilities that would include overseeing player development and scouting, including international scouting. "I'm going through a very tough time," Clark, 51, said before sitting down with his family Monday night to discuss the decision. "It's very difficult to let go of 20 years, but they're putting together a pretty good package up there. It's very exciting." A scouting director for the past 11 years, Clark was first ..."
Heyward could soon be face of the Braves
"He's a big dude with bigger ability -- seriously huge ability -- and many believe Jason Heyward will be the face of the Braves before long. Yet there are reasons why the strapping outfielder from Henry County High doesn't really fit the description of power hitter the Braves seek this winter. And his being a left-handed hitter -- thee club needs a righty -- isn't the main factor. It's that Heyward is only 20, with one week of competition above Class AA. That's why it might be a little while longer before the Heyward Era begins at Turner Field -- and why the Braves will probably search elsewhere this winter for another big bat. It could be an outfielder or a first baseman, depending whether ..."
Braves could trade pitcher for power bat
"Twenty-one major league teams hit more homers than the Braves this season, but not a single team had a better earned run average from its starting pitchers. That, plus the fact the Braves finished the year with more proven starting pitchers (six) than a rotation can accommodate, makes it less than surprising that some time this winter, they might trade one of those pitchers for a slugger. But if it's Javier Vazquez, who has one year at $11.5 million remaining on his contract, general manager Frank Wren had best prepare to be second-guessed by more than fans. "I'm not going to play GM. I'm just going to give you my opinion on it – Javier Vazquez needs to be on this team next year," third ..."
Jurrjens named NL pitcher of month
"Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens was named National League pitcher of the month after going 4-1 with a 1.25 ERA in five September starts. He allowed only five earned runs in 36 innings, including a pair of scoreless outings against the Cardinals (eight innings on Sept. 11) and the Marlins (seven innings on Sept. 28). He struck out 21 batters and walked 11 in those five starts. After losing to Cincinnati on Sept. 5, having allowed three runs in seven innings, Jurrjens won his next four starts, putting up a 0.62 ERA along the way, while holding opponents to a .210 batting average."
Why the Braves must keep Greg Norton at all costs
"True story: My daughter and I were sitting in Section 401 last week the night of the Ricky Nolasco/Matt Diaz game. Elizabeth is 12 and, unlike her father, very smart. She doesn't follow baseball closely but has played softball and does know how to read a batting average. So, in the bottom of the sixth, I said to her: "The Braves are sending up a pinch-hitter." She looked at the scoreboard. She noted the pinch-hitter was hitting .135. She said, "Why are they using him?" I laughed out loud. I said, "Believe it or not, you aren't the first to have asked that question." Believe it or not, the pinch-hitter struck out. Elizabeth gave me a questioning look. I shrugged. And right there is why I ..."
New S100 baseball helmet kicks up debate
"When Rawlings introduced its safer S100 batting helmet around Major League clubhouses in August, it was met with snickers. The helmet, named for the protection it provides from balls thrown at 100 mph, was "too bulky." It looked "goofy." "Those things are heinous," said Braves' Chipper Jones after he got a glimpse of one the six S100s sent to the Braves. But two days after the New York Times ran a story about the new helmet, three players were hit in the head on the same day: on Aug. 15, the Mets' David Wright and the Rangers' Ian Kinsler were hit by pitches and Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda was hit by a line drive."
Are the Braves the team to beat in 2010?
"They finished the season on a six-game losing streak and wound up third in the division, but ESPN.com's Insiders sees the Braves as perhaps the NL East favorite in 2010. (Link requires registration.) Insiders quotes one unnamed "longtime NL scout" as saying, "That's a team that has the pitching to run down the Phillies next year." More from Insiders Buster Olney and Shawn Hoffman: "Atlanta needs a bopper. It's maybe the one missing ingredient. The Braves appear poised for a breakthrough season, in what Cox says will be his last year as the team's manager. Atlanta is flush with starting pitching, from Javier Vazquez to Tommy Hanson, and has some excellent young prospects expected to rise ..."
Johnson decision, others loom for Braves
"With the season over, the Braves are already back to the drawing board, beginning to look where to add, subtract and possibly move people around. Manager Bobby Cox brought up the idea Monday that second baseman Martin Prado could move to right field if the Braves decide they want to give Kelly Johnson another shot at second base. "He plays right field on a regular basis in Venezuela [in winter ball], has for the last few years," Cox said. "He's a possible candidate, depending on what we do with Kelly. We just can't give up on Kelly. He had too good of a solid year last year." Johnson hit .287 with 12 homers and 69 RBIs in 2008. In a limited role this season after losing his job to Prado, ..."
Nats end on high note
"The Washington Nationals, by all accounts, should have been itching for this miserable season to end at last and head home for the winter, erasing the past six months from their collective memories. Something funny, though, happened over the last week. The Nationals started winning, and baseball became fun. So when the end of the road finally came Sunday, no one wanted to accept it. What could have been a quick, run-through-the-motions finale at Turner Field instead turned into the longest game in the Nationals' five years of existence, with Washington and the Atlanta Braves delivering blows back and forth, unable to knock the other out. Finally, in the 15th inning, Alberto Gonzalez lined ..."
Nats' Dunn misses out on history
"The most consistent slugger in baseball came up two home runs short of his usual benchmark. For the first time in six seasons, Adam Dunn did not reach the 40-homer mark. The Washington Nationals first baseman hit his 38th on Sept. 23 but went cold after that and wasn't even in the starting lineup for Sunday's season finale. Dunn had told interim manager Jim Riggleman he wanted the day off to allow younger teammates a chance to play. He did wind up pinch hitting in the seventh inning and roped a run-scoring single to right off Atlanta Braves starter Tim Hudson for his 105th RBI. Only three players in major league history have hit 40 or more homers in six consecutive seasons: Babe Ruth, Alex ..."
Unusual Season Plays Out Until the Very End
"Unwatchable at the beginning, unbeatable at the end, unorthodox without interruption, the 2009 Washington Nationals finished their poorest season with their best effort. On Sunday, before the Nationals split for the winter, they set one final ambush on conventional expectations, turning a meaningless game into a compelling one and concluding their season with a 15-inning, 2-1 victory against the Atlanta Braves. Nothing, really, hung in the balance Sunday afternoon at Turner Field, but somehow, the game became a loopy delight. A bullpen that earlier could only blow leads on this afternoon couldn't let up a run. Fielding a starting lineup composed entirely of players who'd seen time this ..."