February 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Outfield phenom Jason Heyward and left-hander Mike Minor are among 18 non-roster players invited to Braves major league spring training camp. Minor was the team's first-round draft selection in June and Heyward was recently rated the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball. First baseman Freddie Freeman, potential future closer Craig Kimbrel and power-hitting outfielder Cody Johnson are other Braves prospects on the list, which also includes right-hander Eric Cordier, shortstop Brandon Hicks, outfielder Matt Young and catchers Jesus Sucre and Braeden Schlehuber."
February 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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There are several reasons to believe the Braves have interest in Johnny Damon, not the least of which is the fact that they have yet to declare publicly, "We have no interest in Johnny Damon." And given that the player is represented by agent Scott Boras, they would have all the motivation in the world to shoot this rumor down. I know. We've been down this road before. David O'Brien has discussed it on his blog, and I wrote nearly three weeks ago that the Braves needed to take a run at Damon to fill their need for a leadoff hitter. Most of you agreed. I just checked poll results and of 2,750 readers who voted, 78 percent supported the Damon idea. This is what has happened since: Nothing."
February 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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There are several reasons to believe the Braves have interest in Johnny Damon, not the least of which is the fact that they have yet to declare publicly, "We have no interest in Johnny Damon." And given that the player is represented by agent Scott Boras, they would have all the motivation in the world to shoot this rumor down. I know. We've been down this road before. David O'Brien has discussed it on his blog, and I wrote nearly three weeks ago that the Braves needed to take a run at Damon to fill their need for a leadoff hitter. Most of you agreed. I just checked poll results and of 2,750 readers who voted, 78 percent supported the Damon idea. This is what has happened since: Nothing. ..."
February 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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He's only 20 with limited experience above the low minor leagues, but Braves officials say Jason Heyward will enter spring training with every chance to win the right-field job. Then there's Jordan Schafer, 23, who last spring won a three-way battle for the center-field job and hit two home runs in the opening series at Philadelphia. A year later, he'll go to spring training with a surgically repaired wrist and only a slight chance to make the roster. The Braves' current and former No. 1 prospects have something else in common: Both say they're unconcerned about decisions that will determine whether they begin the season at Class AAA Gwinnett. "Go out there and have fun, and everything ..."
February 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Henry County's heavy hitter is only 20 years old and has limited experience above the low minor leagues, but Braves officials have said that Jason Heyward will enter spring training with every opportunity to win the right-field job. And said it repeatedly, to any and everyone. And if that's the case, most who've seen Heyward hitting - or seen him simply existing - in recent weeks would probably put money on him being in right field for the Braves' opening series with the Cubs April 5-8 at Turner Field. Because the masher from McDonough is impressive. Straight up. "He's virtually skipping Triple-A if he makes the team," manager Bobby Cox said of Heyward, who played in three late-season ..."
February 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Jair Jurrjens will soon return from his Curacao home. Kenshin Kawakami and Takashi Saito will wing in from Japan. Billy Wagner will drive down from his Virginia farm. Derek Lowe will travel north from Florida's lower Gulf Coast. Oh, and Tommy Hanson will return from a trip to the Grammy Awards. The Braves' full pitching staff will assemble soon enough and then set about trying to reach the franchise standards that were re-established in 2009 by a staff that included arguably baseball's top starting rotation. But on the first day of the team's voluntary two-week, pre-spring training pitching camp at Turner Field, it was left to veteran Tim Hudson to discuss whether this rotation can be as ..."
January 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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There was a point this winter when young Braves pitching star Tommy Hanson had had enough and talked about leaving Atlanta. No, wait. We didn't mean to alarm Braves fans. Let's rephrase. There was a point during Atlanta's unusually wet October-November when Hanson thought about maybe going home to California for a while. "I was joking that if it rains one more day, I'm out of here," the big right-hander said, recalling a conversation with his Buckhead apartment roommates, pitcher Kris Medlen -- a fellow Southern California native -- and minor-league pitcher Ryne Reynoso. "I couldn't take it," Hanson said. "Then after it stopped raining, it got cold." But if the weather wasn't perfect ..."
January 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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A little clarification this morning. Last week, I suggested that the Braves needed to sign free agent outfielder Johnny Damon to fill their need for a leadoff batter. There has been a void at the top of their order since Rafael Furcal left town. That void has coincided with the Braves' failure to make the playoffs. Go figure. For the record, Damon is still available and Frank Wren is still not taking my advice. Maybe I should send a nice email? Flowers?"
January 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The world's most optimistic man wants it known that there have been a few times he headed south for spring training without a figurative spring in his step. "You've got to have some common sense," Cox said Tuesday, meaning that not every team has a realistic shot at winning His final Braves team, their manager believes, has a realistic shot. "We've got a chance to do some damage and compete and maybe even win," Cox said. Maybe it does, although it must be said that more than a few Braves-watchers were underwhelmed by the team's offseason maneuvering. Their closer is Billy Wagner, who's 38 and who had arm surgery in 2008. Their first baseman is Troy Glaus, who has barely played first base ..."
January 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Jordan Schafer has soared to No. 1 Braves prospect, sunk to suspended drug suspect, bounced back to be an opening-day starter, and slumped to season-ending surgery. All in 21 months. Tumult thy name is Schafer, who no longer is a main topic of discussion when fans mull the upcoming season. The Braves traded for center fielder Nate McLouth last summer and for outfielder Melky Cabrera in December. But fans shouldn't write off Schafer, 23, because the Braves haven't. The heavily tattooed kid is back now, healthy and ready to prove people wrong. Again. "I know everybody doubts me now because of what happened last year," said Schafer, who hit .204 with two home runs, eight RBIs and 63 ..."
January 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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He felt a pop in his left wrist on April 10, his last at-bat in the home opener against Washington. Since then, Jordan Schafer has totaled 55 games played, 187 at-bats, 69 strikeouts, 36 hits, two home runs (both in Triple-A), 13 RBI, an unspecified number of cortisone injections, one wrist surgery and only-he-knows-how-many tattoos (both arms are now completely covered in ink from elbow to shoulder.) But other than that, he seems like the same kid who came to spring training 11 months ago determined to win a big-league job. Really. Which is saying something. I think back to when I was 21, and wonder how I would have dealt with so much. And my answer is: Probably not well. And definitely ..."
January 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Bobby Bragan, the Atlanta Braves' first manager, died Thursday at his home in Fort Worth, Texas. He was 92. Bragan became the manager of the Milwaukee Braves in 1963 and stayed with the franchise when it moved to Atlanta in 1966. He was fired 112 games into that season."
January 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
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I don't agree. Most don't agree. But if the Braves really want to get better, they'll sign Johnny Damon. Barring any significant move, the Braves have three serious questions going into the season: Leadoff hitter (Nate McLouth), cleanup hitter (Troy Glaus) and closer (Billy Wagner). McLouth looked average for most of last season. Glaus and Wagner represent medical roulette. I haven't written much on Damon in part because it was presumed he would simply re-sign with the New York Yankees and, with Scott Boras as his agent, he would ask for an obscene amount of money on the open market. But he's still out there, with spring training a month away. The asking price - once believed to be in the ..."
January 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Braves reliever Peter Moylan agreed to a one-year, $1.15 million contract Tuesday, leaving the team with no arbitration-eligible players left unsigned on its 40-man roster. Moylan went 6-2 with a 2.84 ERA and no home runs allowed in a franchise-record 87 appearances, the second-most appearances in the majors in 2009. He did that one year after having ligament-transplant elbow surgery. After allowing five runs without recording an out in his first two games, the right-hander posted a 2.22 ERA in his remaining 85 appearances. He had a 4.62 ERA and .272 opponents' average in 49 games before the All-Star break, then a 1.00 ERA and .217 opponents' average in 38 games after the break. He ..."
January 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Once Tom Glavine announces he has retired from pitching -- that could be soon, and he has talked with the Braves about a possible front-office position -- he and pal Greg Maddux could be on a four-year countdown to a fitting coda to their careers: first-ballot election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The questions could then become: Will both be depicted wearing Braves caps on their Cooperstown plaques? Might Maddux instead wear a cap of the Chicago Cubs, who last week hired "Mad Dog" as a special assistant to their general manager? Maddux, who had 355 wins -- eighth on the all-time list -- before retiring after the 2008 season, began his major league career with the Cubs and rejoined them ..."
January 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tom Glavine could return to the Braves, but not to pitch. The 305-game winner has been in discussions with the Braves about a possible position with the organization that could include duties ranging from front-office work to instructing players in the minor leagues and perhaps even some broadcasting. "I've talked to Tommy several times since the season ended," said Braves president John Schuerholz, who said talks were still in the preliminary stage. "It's always been in our mind that ultimately, eventually something like this might be a possibility. "We've discussed it with Tommy. I've talked to [Glavine's agent] Gregg Clifton. We're in the exploratory-discussion phase, but the interest ..."
January 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Outfielder Melky Cabrera and the Braves avoided arbitration by agreeing on a one-year, $3.1 million contract Thursday, more than doubling his 2009 salary with the New York Yankees. The 25-year-old switch-hitter batted .274 with 28 doubles, 13 home runs and 68 RBIs in 154 games for the Yankees, who traded Cabrera and two pitching prospects to the Braves for pitcher Javier Vazquez. The Braves also received $500,000 as part of that Dec. 22 trade. Cabrera had a $1.4 million salary in 2009 after becoming eligible for arbitration for the first time. He avoided arbitration last winter, agreeing to a contract without going through the process that culminates with a sometimes-contentious ..."
January 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Eric Hinske played for different teams in each of the past three World Series, and the Braves sure hope he can extend his streak as a human good-luck charm. They signed Hinske to a one-year, $1 million contract to be a pinch-hitter and versatile bench player -- including backing up injury-prone first baseman Troy Glaus. "I love what I see here, and that's why I signed," said Hinske, 32, who has experience at all four infield and outfield corner positions. "I had some other offers, and I took my time and weighed all of them, and kept coming back to this one. It really seemed like the best situation." Hinske, 32, the American League Rookie of the Year in 2002, has been a backup in recent ..."
January 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Frank Wren understands the criticism but like his team. (AJC photo/Curtis Compton) Frank Wren inherited a team once accustomed to postseasons. He has gone 0-for-2. It follows that while there are a lot of nice things that go with being the general manager of the Braves, one of them is not the benefit of the doubt. The Braves are one month from the start of spring training. Wren's winter roster makeover is pretty much complete after last week's signing of Eric Hinske. We hear crickets. Outgoing: Javier Vazquez, Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez, Adam Laroche, Kelly Johnson, Ryan Church."
January 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Four weeks ago, Derek Lowe was so sure he was going to be traded that he told MLB.com: "I'm just waiting for it to happen. I don't think it's a matter of 'if' anymore. It's just a matter of when." He also said if he had known the Braves might trade him one year into his four-year contract, he never would have signed with them. A week after those comments, the Braves traded one of their two 15-game winners of 2009. Only it was Javier Vazquez, not Lowe. They tried to trade Lowe, but no team would do it without Atlanta picking up a large portion of the $45 million he's owed over the remaining three seasons of his $60 million contract. They turned to Plan B and traded Vazquez, coming off a ..."
January 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Perceptions, assumptions and perceived ultimatums sure can change a lot in the space of three or four weeks. Take the case of Derek Lowe, who was so sure four weeks ago that he was going to be traded, he told MLB.com: "I'm just waiting for it to happen. I don't think it's a matter of 'if' anymore. It's just a matter of when." He also said that if he had to do it over again, if he knew the Braves would try to trade him a year into the deal, he would've signed elsewhere. Seeing those quotes, Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz wrote on Dec. 16: "Before, the Braves wanted to dump him. Now, they almost have to dump him." Six days later, the Braves traded one of their two 15-game ..."
January 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Andre Dawson was finally elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame Wednesday in his ninth year on the ballot, but two former Braves -- Murph and McGriff -- have an awfully long way to go. Probably too far. Fred McGriff was named on just 21.5 percent of the ballots in his first year of eligibility, while legendary Braves outfielder Dale Murphy (11.7 percent) received only one more vote than he got a year ago. To be elected to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., players must be named on 75 percent of ballots from members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. This year 405 votes were required, and Dawson (420) was the only player elected to the Hall. McGriff got 116 votes to finish ..."
January 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Just a few hours after signing Troy Glaus, the Braves added his backup when they agreed to terms with Eric Hinske on a one-year contract to serve as a pinch-hitter and versatile bench player. Hinske, 32, must pass a physical before the deal, first reported by CBSSports.com, is finalized. Financial terms weren't immediately known, but his addition could be the last significant move by the Braves before spring training. Wren said they were close to their projected payroll limit, which is expected to be a little over $90 million."
January 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Finally, Troy Glaus has officially joined the Braves. They have their first baseman. Two weeks after the sides agreed to a one-year, $1.75 million contract, the Braves announced the signing of the veteran slugger Tuesday. The delay occurred because former American League home-run leader first had to pass a physical, and scheduling it at the last minute before the holidays was too difficult. The 33-year-old erstwhile All-Star third baseman, who missed most of last season after shoulder surgery, gets a modest salary and a move across the diamond to first base, where Glaus has played only six games in his career but has worked this winter to get acclimated. "We are thrilled to bring Troy to ..."
January 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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A few thoughts while wondering if Johnny Damon would wear his hair Boston-era caveman style or Yankees-era short when he signs with the Braves - OK, if he signs with Braves - and trying to figure out how it's colder in Atlanta this week than it was last week in Whistler, B.C., when we were there snowboarding. Caveman BoSox-era Damon, aka Jesus Seriously, it's colder here in North Georgia than it was in the mountains in the Great White North. Quite a bit colder, with wind-chill factor considered. But even the actual temperature is lower. And we have no snow - or sexy European skiers - to distract us from the bitter cold. As for Damon, as I've said a few times the past couple of weeks, the ..."
January 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It's a new year, and Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is expecting different results than in 2009. Just one season after winning the National League batting title with a career-high .364 average, Jones hit only .264 with 18 homers and 71 RBIs -- all career-worst marks for the six-time All-Star. He's entering the first season of a three-year, $42 million contract extension signed last spring. However, Jones, who will turn 38 in April, has said he might retire after the upcoming season if he doesn't play better than he did in 2009. During a recent, wide-ranging interview with the AJC, Jones reiterated that he was serious about retiring if he endures another season like 2009. But he also ..."
December 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Braves will have another new first baseman, and this time he's a big one. Troy Glaus has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Braves, who believe the former American League home-run leader is fully recovered from shoulder surgery and can handle the full-time duties at first base. He still must pass a physical before the deal is finalized. A person familiar with negotiations confirmed the imminent deal, which was first reported by FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal. Glaus, 33, is a hulking former third baseman who missed all but 14 games last season with St. Louis and has played only six games at first base in his career. The four-time former All-Star has 304 home runs in 12 ..."
December 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Braves just traded the man who might well have been their Opening Day starting pitcher for an outfielder who might not start on Opening Day. Think about that. Think also about this: The Braves just traded a man who finished fourth in the National League Cy Young voting because he was making too much money. And here's how much Javier Vazquez is scheduled to make in 2010 - $11.5 million. That's not even half what CC Sabathia, his new Yankee teammate, will earn. And that tells us all we need know about the Braves. They keep making noises about contending for division titles, but it's just noise. They can't afford to do real business any longer. From the day the 2009 season ended they were ..."
December 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Braves traded a pitcher they would've preferred to keep, sending Javier Vazquez to the New York Yankees today in a deal for outfielder Melky Cabrera and two minor leaguers including a top pitching prospect. The Braves also traded left-handed reliever Boone Logan to the Yankees in the deal for Cabrera, rookie left-hander Mike Dunn, promising right-hander Arodys Vizcaino and $500,000 in cash. Cabrera, 25, hit .274 with 13 home runs and 68 RBIs in 154 games last season for the Yankees, including 103 games in center field. Vizcaino, 19, was recently rated the No. 3 prospect in the Yankees organization by Baseball America. Vazquez had a career-best season in his first – and it turns out, ..."
December 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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If the Braves have any interest in re-signing first baseman Adam LaRoche, he said he's not been told about it. That's what he said a few hours ago when I texted him. Asked him whether he'd heard anything from the Braves since becoming a free agent, and Rocky replied in a text message: "No talk from ATL that I know of. Guess I should have hit .400 while I was there." To recap, he hit .325 with 12 homers, 40 RBI and a .401 OBP and .557 slugging percentage (.958 OPS) in 57 games after being traded to the Braves from the Boston Red Sox on July 31. Braves officials have kept private most details of their offseason plans and maneuverings this year (you might have noticed), and all general ..."
December 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Braves signed a player who hit 35 homers in 2009. But in Class AAA. At age 31. Mitch Jones, an outfielder/corner infielder who led minor league baseball in homers last season for the Dodgers' Albuquerque affiliate, signed as a minor-league free agent with an expected invitation to the Braves' spring training. He hit .297 with 103 RBI in 108 games and made the 10-man Topps Triple-A All-Star team as a designated hitter. Jones didn't make his major-league debut until last summer, after a decade in the minors and a couple of seasons in Japan."
December 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Even before Derek Lowe complained about being singled out for his struggles last season - and I'll get to that in a minute - it was safe to assume the Braves were not going to get much for him in a trade. Now that he admits he's miffed about the trade talk and has made the need for a deal a little more desperate, I'm sure they won't get much. Trade him anyway. It would be significant addition by subtraction. Lowe, a relative bust as the Braves' $60 million free agent last season, told Mark Bowman of MLB.com: "I'm just waiting for it to happen. I don't think it's a matter of if anymore. It's just a matter of when." And then came the money quote (pun absolutely intended): "It kind of ..."