July 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
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Yunel Escobar is, shall we say, a different sort of Brave. He has blond highlights in his hair. He doesn't always pay attention. He has a temper and is given to the sulks. He has yet to respond to the gentle urgings of Bobby Cox, which have become less gentle over time. According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, the Braves "are willing to trade Escobar for a good hitter right now." (Link requires registration.) But I don't think they will. Nor do I believe they should. Because Yunel Escobar is a different sort of Brave in another way: He can really hit. And he can really play. The Braves have become so skilled at siphoning off higher-maintenance types that they have lesser tolerance for one ..."
June 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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About the only time losing has privileges is on this day - draft day - and for the Braves, it means they are entitled to pick seventh overall in baseball's first-year player draft. This marks the highest overall pick the Braves have had in the draft since 1991, when they took outfielder Mike Kelly with second pick overall. The Braves could use some depth at third base, for example, or perhaps at a middle infield spot. But club scouting director Roy Clark said Monday the Braves won't be looking to fill a specific need, just to take the best available player. "The year we took Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman, it was just exceptional," Clark said of the 2007 draft, when the club filled ..."
June 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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FoxSports.com reported Saturday that Tom Glavine is considering filing a grievance against the Braves over the reasons for his release. The report said the lefty's agent, Gregg Clifton, had spoken with a labor attorney and the players' union. The collective-bargaining agreement states that players can't be released by their teams because of financial reasons. Glavine would have received a $1 million bonus if he was activated from the disabled list to the major-league roster. Braves general manager Frank Wren and CEO Terry McGuirk have stated that Glavine was released strictly for performance reasons - because the team didn't believe he could be successful at the major-league level."
June 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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This is not the way Tom Glavine thought it would go, and that's what hurt the most. The 305-game winner said Friday he felt "a sense of betrayal" over his release by the Braves. He thought he would be returning to the mound Sunday from elbow and shoulder surgery. Instead, the day after he finished his rehabilitation, he found out prospect Tommy Hanson would replace him. Glavine dissected his version of what had happened, speaking publicly for the first time since his release on Wednesday. It boiled down to this: Glavine felt the Braves misled him, in both their intentions during his rehabilitation and their explanation of why they were parting ways. He went so far as to say he believed the ..."
June 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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First baseman Casey Kotchman's right shin and calf have been slow to heal since he was hit by a pitch Sunday at Arizona, and the Braves will consider placing him on the 15-day DL if he's not ready soon. "I don't want to want to" put on him the DL, manager Bobby Cox said. "But he's still a ways away from being ready. We'll wait a couple more days, see if there's a miracle." X-rays on Kotchman's shin showed only a severe contusion. But he also strained his calf making an abrupt movement during the incident. He still has significant swelling and hasn't been able to run. "It's improving every day, but I just want to make sure it's right before I come back," said Kotchman, who hit .267 with ..."
June 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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General manager Frank Wren said there was no truth to an ESPN.com report Friday that the Braves expressed interest in a trade for Boston Red Sox pitcher Brad Penny. "There is no validity to that," Wren said. "That has not even been discussed." Several Braves players and manager Bobby Cox seemed equally surprised by the report, which speculated that the Braves might open a spot for Penny in their rotation by moving Kenshin Kawakami to the bullpen. Kawakami is in the first season of a three-year, $23 million contract. He is 3-6 with a 4.63 ERA, including a 3.19 ERA in six starts since May 1. Penny is 5-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 10 starts, and has been the beneficiary of the fifth-highest run ..."
June 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Braves may not be done changing the rotation. ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that the Braves have had conversations with the Boston Red Sox regarding veteran right-hander Brad Penny. Just last week, the AJC's David O'Brien reported that Boston had been scouting Jeff Francoeur and might have a trade interest in the Braves right fielder, who is hitting .251 with four homers and 25 RBI. The report makes no claim that the Braves are close to sending the 25-year-old outfielder in exchange for the 31-year-old pitcher, who is 5-1 with a 5.63 ERA."
June 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Chipper Jones has always said he prefers his third spot in the batting order, so reporters went straight to his locker Thursday for reaction after seeing the lineup with new center fielder Nate McLouth hitting third and Jones fourth. "I told [manager Bobby Cox] I was open to whatever he thought was best for the club," said Jones, who spoke with Cox after the Braves finalized their trade Wednesday for the All-Star center fielder from the Pittsburgh Pirates. "I don't know if this is permanent, but we'll see." The Braves' scheduled game against the Cubs was rained out Thursday, but Cox's batting order had second baseman Kelly Johnson in the leadoff role, followed by shortstop Yunel Escobar, ..."
June 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After throwing six scoreless innings and earning a win in his third minor-league rehab start in two weeks, Braves pitcher Tom Glavine pronounced himself ready to return to the major leagues Tuesday night as the 43-year-old veteran turned in a solid outing in Rome's 3-0 win over the Augusta Green Jackets in front of a sellout crowd of 5,105 at State Mutual Stadium. "I don't know what else I can do," said Glavine, who threw 65 pitches for the low-Class A Rome Braves, 45 of those for strikes. "Physically I felt good and I feel like I'm ready. "I'd love to get to Atlanta and help the team," he said. "I'll go [to Turner Field] tomorrow and prepare to pitch on Sunday, wherever that is." Glavine ..."
May 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Braves general manager Frank Wren would not comment on a report that the Boston Red Sox have recently scouted Jeff Francoeur and might have trade interest in the Braves right fielder. It's not known whether the Braves have entertained offers for the player who was once expected to become the next face of the franchise, but whose career has stalled. The Braves would presumably have to get an outfielder back in any trade for Francoeur, 25, or have another deal lined up to get a replacement. The Lilburn native was hitting .259 with three homers, 21 RBIs and a .281 on-base percentage before Wednesday night's game at San Francisco. Yahoo's Gordon Edes reported that the Red Sox were looking at ..."
May 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tim Hudson's rehabilitation from elbow reconstruction surgery is going so well that it's hard to wipe the smile off his face. Hudson is throwing at 150 feet and expects to be back on the mound for bullpen sessions next week when the Braves are in San Francisco. "It's feeling phenomenal," Hudson said. "I feel like I could go out there and get people out." Hudson threw some bullpen sessions in spring training but took a few weeks off in April - a break that was built in to his rehab schedule - before building back up arm strength by throwing long toss. He will throw fastballs exclusively when he first gets on the mound, then gradually work in changeups, breaking balls and split-fingers. He ..."
May 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tom Glavine felt fine after three innings of a simulated game Monday and if his shoulder rebounds well, he will report for a minor league rehabilitation start Saturday in Class AAA Gwinnett. If all continues to progress as it has, Glavine believes he would need only one more minor league outing five days later before he would be ready to make his comeback from elbow and shoulder surgery. Monday marked the first time Glavine had faced live hitters since his setback on April 12, when he re-aggravated his shoulder swinging the bat in a rehabilitation start for Class AA Mississippi. "When I threw bad pitches, being up or over the plate, they put good swings on them," Glavine said. "When I got ..."
May 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Braves pitcher Kris Medlen will have to wait a little longer for his big-league debut. Because of a change in plans after Sunday's rainout, the 23-year-old right-hander is set to start Thursday against Colorado, instead of Tuesday. Braves veteran Derek Lowe had his rained-out start Sunday moved to Monday, and Jair Jurrjens' start was bumped from Monday to Tuesday. Javier Vazquez was the only starter not affected by the changed plan. He's still scheduled to start Wednesday against the Rockies, because the Braves didn't want to have extra rest for the second start in a row. Manager Bobby Cox said Medlen would probably pitch a side session Monday or Tuesday before he starts the finale of the ..."
May 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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If the Braves need to replace struggling starter Jo-Jo Reyes, they could do it with a 300-game winner. If they can wait a couple of more weeks. Tom Glavine "let it fly" in two simulated innings of work in the Citi Field bullpen Wednesday, then said he felt as good or better than he did in spring training. He hopes to join the Braves' rotation by the end of May. "He threw good," manager Bobby Cox said. "Had more velocity" than previous bullpens. The 43-year-old left-hander has been on the disabled list all season after having shoulder and elbow surgeries in August, then a setback when he had felt shoulder pain while batting in an April 12 minor-league rehab start. Glavine acknowledged he ..."
May 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Chipper Jones has a sore right elbow that could sideline him for at least the opening game of the Braves' series against the Mets that starts Monday night in New York. Jones said he hyperextended the elbow twice on consecutive swings on a fifth-inning strikeout during Sunday's 4-2 win against the Philadelphia Phillies. "I've had a pretty serious case of tendinitis in my elbow all year," the 37-year-old third baseman said. "Coupled with hyperextending it today, it got to a point where I couldn't really throw across the infield. "So once we got the lead, I told [manager] Bobby [Cox] he might want to get [Martin] Prado in there." Jones said there was perhaps a 50 percent chance he would miss ..."
May 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The new-look Brian McCann is ready to return to the Braves. That's new-look as in prescription glasses and a hockey-style catcher's mask. The Braves catcher went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk as he concluded his stint on the disabled list with a rehab assignment for Class AAA Gwinnett on Thursday. The G-Braves defeated Syracuse 4-0. McCann expects to rejoin the Braves today to start a series in Philadelphia. It was an active night for McCann. He ripped a double down the right-field line in his first at-bat. He threw out former Braves player Pete Orr trying to steal second to end the third inning and tagged out a runner at the plate to end the fourth. McCann began the game by wearing the ..."
May 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Blurred vision and frustration continues for Braves catcher Brian McCann, who has found no relief with contact lenses and will try wearing glasses on the field for the first time in his life. "The contacts didn't work," McCann said this afternoon, after returning from a two-game rehab stint at Class-A Myrtle Beach, a trip that proved fruitless in his search for a remedy to blurred vision and dryness he has experienced in his left eye since the season began. The three-time All-Star, who's been on the 15-day disabled list for a week, has seen three eye specialists this month and tried three different contact lenses, in addition to various ointments and medicated drops. Nothing's worked. "It ..."
April 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After two weeks of rest, Tom Glavine has decided to continue to test his left shoulder and attempt his comeback from elbow and shoulder surgery. Glavine played catch on Sunday and Monday and came away encouraged that his arm would let him continue to try to build up. Glavine returned to the field Tuesday and participated in some light throwing. Galvine said Monday he is still in some pain in his shoulder, but expects to have that even if he rests all season. He wants to get back on the bullpen mound by the end of this homestand and then he'll have a better idea of what he's facing. Glavine had said two weeks ago after a visit to Dr. James Andrews revealed shoulder inflammation that if his ..."
April 25
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Having left fielder Garret Anderson go on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a strained quadriceps was bad enough for the Braves. But having catcher Brian McCann join him on the DL is something else entirely That's what is expected Saturday, when McCann believes he will land on the DL because of continued blurry vision and dryness in his left eye, which the All-Star catcher is ready to have repaired right away through laser surgery. The Braves have called catcher Clint Sammons from Class AAA Gwinnett in anticipation of the likely McCann move to the DL. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow, but I don't think it'll change," manager Bobby Cox said of McCann's condition. Cox is reluctant to put ..."
April 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Braves are accustomed to dealing with Chipper Jones' injury absences. Being used to it, however, doesn't make it any easier. The veteran third baseman was out of the lineup Wednesday and could miss at least a few more games after aggravating his left-thumb injury. "Last night was the worst I've done it," said Jones, who was initially injured when he was jammed by an inside pitch in an April 2 spring-training game. "It's a situation where you keep aggravating it and keep aggravating it, just not giving it enough time to get better." Jones said he was jammed by at least two more pitches after his initial injury, causing him to miss an April 8 game at Philadelphia with bruising around the ..."
April 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Gwinnett Braves travel to Charlotte today to open their inaugural season Thursday against the Knights with prospect Tommy Hanson on the mound. He'll be followed in the rotation by Jo-Jo Reyes, James Parr, Charlie Morton and Todd Redmond. Prospect Kris Medlen will be piggy-backed behind a starter, possibly Morton, to stretch out as another option. In that group are three pitchers who started for the big-league Braves last season and another in Hanson who likely will at some point this season. Reyes has 32 major-league starts, Morton 15, and Parr five. Then you have Redmond, last year's Southern League pitcher of the year for Class AA Mississippi. A lot for Gwinnett Braves manager Dave ..."
March 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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A surplus of pitching is starting to bubble up in Braves camp. Javier Vazquez and Jorge Campillo are back from the World Baseball Classic, and Tom Glavine pitched his first spring training game Saturday. Their arrivals mean Jo-Jo Reyes was pitching on the backfields in a minor-league game Saturday, as prospect Tommy Hanson will on Tuesday. With less than two weeks to go in spring training, the Braves have some pieces to trade if they choose. An obvious place to find them would be in the bullpen, where Campillo, who pitched three innings Saturday, Buddy Carlyle and Jeff Bennett could each fill the long relief/spot starter role. Position players the Braves could move include Josh Anderson, ..."
March 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tommy Hanson felt added excitement pitching against the New York Mets, but the Braves' top prospect said that wasn't the reason for his rough first couple of innings Wednesday. Hanson gave up a two-run homer to Fernando Tatis in the first inning and labored through the second, but he settled down and Braves bats heated up in a 7-4 victory against the Mets at Tradition Field. Martin Prado hit a three-run homer and outfield prospects Jordan Schafer and Brandon Jones had three hits apiece for the Braves, who have won 11 of their past 12 Grapefruit League games and 13 of 14 including exhibitions against World Baseball Classic opponents. "I was amped up early, but I have been the whole ..."
March 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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In the Braves' 7-4 victory against the New York Mets on Wednesday, Jordan Schafer went 3-for-5 to raise his average to .419 and picked up his team-high fourth stolen base in as many attempts. He's making a push for the center-field job, going 10-for-20 in five games after missing 10 days with a sprained shoulder. Manager Bobby Cox gave high marks to relievers Blaine Boyer, who had three strikeouts and one hit allowed in two scoreless innings, and lefty Eric O'Flaherty, who had two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. "I thought O'Flaherty looked really good," Cox said. "Gave up two little infield hits. He's got nasty stuff. Good slider. Heavy sinker." Martin Prado doubled off Mets starter Livan ..."
February 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Chipper Jones and the Braves have had discussions about a contract extension for the veteran third baseman. After winning the 2008 batting title with a .364 average at 36, Jones is in the final season of his contract, an option year that vested at the maximum $11 million. He has spent his entire career in the Braves organization and ranks as one of the greatest switch-hitters in history, with a .310 average, 449 doubles, 408 homers and 1,374 RBIs in 15 seasons, along with a .408 on-base percentage. The only switch-hitter with at least 300 homers and a .300 batting average, Jones won the 1999 MVP award and has eight top-12 finishes in MVP balloting. He signed a six-year contract in 2001, ..."
February 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tom Glavine is expected to re-sign with the Braves soon, adding the final piece to what could be one of the National League's deepest starting rotations. The one-year contract the veteran left-hander is close to completing would likely include a $1 million salary and bonuses that could push the total to a maximum of between $4 million and $5 million, according to a person familiar with the situation. Glavine, 42, would receive a $1 million bonus for making the opening day roster and could earn two other bonuses for staying on the active roster for specific lengths. The bonus money would be deferred. The two-time former Cy Young Award winner was never on the disabled list until 2008, when ..."
February 17
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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It's the never-ending story. About an hour after the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that former Mariner Ken Griffey Jr. had spurned the Mariners to sign with the Atlanta Braves, Griffey denied any such decision. Griffey told MLB.com's Jim Street that he was "still kicking things around with my family and have not made a decision." "This is the first time in my career that I have been a free agent," Griffey told MLB.com, "and it's nerve-wracking." The 39-year-old who played with Seattle from 1989-99 and who Seattle now hopes will serve as DH and left fielder, told the website he hoped to make a decision "later today (Tuesday) or early tomorrow morning." Griffey, his wife, Melissa and ..."
February 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Ken Griffey Jr. has chosen to sign with the Braves, according to a person close to the veteran star and familiar with the ongoing negotiations. Griffey and Braves general manager Frank Wren met Monday in Orlando, and Wren and Griffey's agent were scheduled to meet today in an effort to finalize a deal. The Braves would be adding a 13-time former All-Star who’s one of six players to hit 600 or more home runs. The 39-year-old erstwhile “Kid” — also known as “Junior” — decided to sign with the Braves over an offer to return to Seattle, where he played his first 11 seasons with the Mariners and was the American League MVP in 1997. The two teams made similar offers, believed to be in the range ..."
February 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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While the Braves await a decision from free agent Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones wondered for a moment Monday if the outfielder had already signed and reported. Jones arrived at the Braves clubhouse to find a Seattle Mariners equipment bag at the empty locker next to his. Griffey played 11 seasons for Seattle, where he was the 1997 American League MVP. Turned out the bag belonged to utility player Greg Norton, who was with Seattle before being traded to Atlanta. Jones saw the bag and instinctively looked toward both ends of the clubhouse for Griffey, who has talked a few times with Jones in the past week about playing for the Braves. Jones insisted his heart didn't skip a beat when he saw ..."
February 16
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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Sunday came and went without a decision on Ken Griffey Jr. The free-agent outfielder could rejoin the Mariners or spurn them and sign with the Atlanta Braves. A decision could be made Monday. Neither the Mariners nor Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg, had anything to say about the situation Sunday. "There's nothing new," one baseball source said. "But I don't think it's going to get too stretched out." It would be difficult to stretch it out longer than it already has been, as Griffey and the Mariners seem to have been coming together ever so slowly since June 2007, when Griffey returned to Safeco Field with the Cincinnati Reds as a conquering hero. As recently as last week it seemed Griffey ..."
February 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Braves are interested in free agent Ken Griffey Jr., and the interest is mutual. "We have interest in several available outfielders, including Griffey," Braves general manager Frank Wren said Saturday. Griffey is "extremely" interested in joining the Braves, according to someone close to Griffey. It was believed that he was leaning toward returning to Seattle, where he spent the first 11 of his 20 years in the major leagues with the Mariners, but the Braves are Griffey's first choice, according to the person. The Braves have searched for a proven run-producer to bolster an outfield that hit a major league-low 27 homers last season. The free-agent pool got smaller last week after Bobby ..."
February 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tom Glavine is meeting with Braves general manager Frank Wren today to discuss where things stand in their contract negotiations, Glavine confirmed. Glavine, who is coming off shoulder and elbow surgery, is trying to make a comeback with the one team he's made it clear he'd prefer to come back with - the Braves. But Glavine was underwhelmed by the Braves' initial offer. Last week, the team offered Glavine a one-year deal worth about $1 million and up to $3 million with incentives based on time spent on the roster. The Braves are still searching for an outfielder - possibly the Yankees' Nick Swisher via trade - and are believed to have only about $7 million left to spend."
February 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hard to imagine Mike Gonzalez any more fired up than he already gets, isn't it? Well, keep an eye out in the coming weeks. The excitable closer is as healthy as he's ever been as a Brave, nearly two years removed from May 2007 elbow reconstruction surgery. He's raring to go. And that's saying something for a guy who rocks over the rubber in his windup. Gonzalez has felt this way since he start throwing again in early January. "I felt like I had a new arm," Gonzalez said. "I felt like I was 20 years old again. I went out there and was just slinging it. I've been having to back off a little bit because my arm was just like 'Man, you better go.' " Gonzalez still has two weeks before spring ..."
January 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
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This is not a John Smoltz situation. How do we know that? Because Tom Glavine and Frank Wren had breakfast together Wednesday morning in Alpharetta. "I had oatmeal," Glavine said. Wren? "He had oatmeal, too. Hey, gotta get ready for spring training." Who paid? "He did. Business expense." This isn't six years ago, when the Braves and Glavine debated about who lied, or who didn't return whose messages, or who was the bigger, hard-headed, money-grubbing weasel. This isn't three weeks ago, when Wren and Smoltz were closer to going at each other with blow torches than bonding over a high-fiber breakfast. Glavine wants to pitch. Medical reports indicate he can pitch. The Braves appear open to ..."