November 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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."
November 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
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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 ..."
November 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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," ..."
November 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
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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 ..."
November 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
November 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
October 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
October 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
October 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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. ..."
October 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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.""
October 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
October 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
October 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
October 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
October 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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."
October 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
October 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
October 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
October 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
October 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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 ..."
October 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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."
October 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
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 ..."
October 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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."
October 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
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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 ..."
October 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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, ..."