What I've Missed: A Wrap-up of the last five days

After a couple of days on the road, here’s what’s happening in Braves land.

Jake Peavy Update
Admittedly, I spent a large portion of my vacation checking my cell phone for any updates on the Peavy trade. On Thursday, the news was that the deal was all but locked up. However, I got a little nervous with the quantity the Braves were willing to give up. Something like five players including Yunel Escobar and Gorkys Hernandez. I’m all for getting rid of Jo-Jo Reyes and Blaine Boyer, but five players seemed a little much.

By Friday, the news had markedly changed. The Braves had pulled out of the trade talks, putting Peavy’s Braves future about six feet under.

I would have liked the Braves to pick up Peavy, but not for that price. The Yankees cannot possible pick up every free agent on the market. And if they don’t sign A.J. Burnett, the Braves could try to pick him up. The 5 years, $80 million the Yanks are offering seems a bit high, but the Braves aren’t destitute either. Conversely, if the Yankees do sign Burnett, then Derek Lowe would be available. Although I’ve heard rumors that he would like to head back to Boston. The point is, even thought the Braves did not trade for Peavy, they are not dead in the water. The market is filled with a number of quality arms that could fit into the Braves system.

Brian McCann picks up Award
Congratulations to Brian McCann on being named a Silver Slugger Award winner. McCann lead all NL catchers with a .301 batting average and his 23 homeruns were matched only by the Cubs Geovany Soto. He was joined in the NL by NL MVP Albert Pujols, Chase Utley, David Wright, Hanley Ramirez, Ryan Braun, Matt Holliday, Ryan Ludwick, Matt Holliday and Carlos Zambrano.

Chipper Jones named on 12 MVP ballots
By the end of the first half of the season, there were many that believed that Braves third baseman Chipper Jones was well on his way to picking up his second MVP trophy. Perhaps it was the Braves second half slide or Jones’ nagging injuries that sidelined the 1999 winner from keeping up his torrid pace, but whatever the case, Chipper’s run was stopped. Those factors however did not prevent 12 people from placing Jones’ name on their MVP ballots. And when all was counted, Chipper finished 12th in MVP voting behind winner Albert Pujols, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard and Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun.

News&Notes: The Braves have made a preliminary offer to re-sign reliever Will Ohman…The Braves could have some interest in bringing back Rafael Furcal...Yahoo! Sports has an interesting article on young catchers which includes Braves prospect Tyler Flowers. Click here to read it…You’ve been hearing a lot about him, so just who is this Tommy Hanson fellow?

Reminder

I'll be away from my desk and unable to blog until Tuesday, so if there are any updates on the status of the Peavy trade or any big free agent signings beginning on Friday, I won't be able to post about it until next week.

Have a happy rest of the week!

Jurrjens comes in third in ROY voting

Jair Jurrjens became one of the most reliable starters for the Braves in 2008 ranking first in ERA (3.88) and wins (13) for any rookie pitcher in the NL. On Monday, all of his hard work was acknowledge as he came in third place in NL Rookie of the Year voting behind winner and Cubs catcher Geovany Soto and Reds first baseman Joey Votto. Jurrjens seems to have a very bright future ahead of him with the Braves.
(Photo: Tom Mihalek/AP; source)

Phillies Host Braves in MLB Season Opener

For the second straight season, the Braves will be hosted in MLB season opener, which will take place Sunday April 5, 2009. In 2008, the Braves lost to the Nationals in the first regular season game ever played at the new Nationals Stadium, hopefully, the Braves will have a better outcome in 2009.

I know it’s more coincidence than a sign of the Braves prominence, but it’s still pretty cool to have the Braves featured in the first game of the season.
(source)

Updating the Peavy News

Since this seems to be the big news for the Braves so far this off-season, I figured I’d give a little update. According to Foxsports.com, the package the Braves are offering would include Yunel Escobar, Charlie Morton or Jo-Jo Reyes and a third player most likely a top level prospect like Jordan Schafer or Gorkys Hernandez. I would hate to see Escobar go, but would be happy to send either Morton or Reyes to get Peavy. The Braves are in dire need for a front line starter and based on last season, I don’t see either Morton or Reyes heading in that direction. Like I said previously, I would much rather get rid of Kelly Johnson over Escobar, but the Padres don’t seem willing to take Kelly Johnson as a centerpiece.

The only other team that is also a major player in the Peavy sweepstakes according to the same article is the Cubs who would have a devastating rotation even if they don’t re-sign Ryan Dempster. With the addition of Peavy, they’d have Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden and Ted Lilly taking the mound. Add Dempster and it’s practically ridiculous.

In other trade news, the AJC is reporting the Braves may strike a deal for Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick. Ludwick was a lightning bolt for the team hitting .299 with 37 homers and 113 RBIs in 2008. He’d obviously provide the outfield bat the Braves are looking for. However, according to the article, the Cardinals want Yunel Escobar and depending on how the Peavy trade works out, the Braves you know cannot to trade Escobar to both teams and do not want to trade both Escobar and Kelly Johnson in the same off season.

Judging by the articles I've read, it's an either or situation, which is fine by me. The Braves have $40 million to spend this off season, right? Why trade away the farm for two players when they have more than enough to attract a star pitcher or a power hitting outfielder. I’d almost rather see them trade for Ludwick and pick up a Ryan Dempster or a Derek Lowe and see how Tommy Hanson turns out. If you throw out 2009 (because frankly, it would be an uphill battle even if the Braves acquired Peavy) and consider that by 2010, Tim Hudson would be back at full strength, Hanson could have at least a half a season under his belt, Jair Jurrjens would have two full seasons under his plus the newly acquired number one starter and the rotation would really have taken form. Frankly, looking over the list of current free agent filings, the outfield position is a lot less appetizing (at best a Pat Burrell or Adam Dunn) than the possible pitchers (Ryan Dempster/Derek Lowe/Ben Sheets/Brad Penny/CC Sabathia/A.J. Burnett...)

UPDATE: Oh and I almost forgot...there's this Japanese right handed pitcher Junichi Tazawa. He's described as a 22 year old amateur pitcher who is trying to make the jump to the Majors. Apparently the Braves, Red Sox, Mariners, Phillies and now Tigers are interested.
(Photo: Nam Y. Huh/AP)

Greg Maddux to Retire?

Former Atlanta Brave pitcher Greg Maddux is very close to retirement according to his agent Scott Boras. The 42 year-old spent time with the San Diego Padres before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers mid-season. While Maddux made the post season roster, he was used as a reliever not a starter. Plus he would be much better suited to join his older brother Mike and become a pitching coach.

This got me thinking, if Maddux retires what about John Smoltz and Tom Glavine? Currently both players are rehabbing, hoping to make it back to the show. Glavine has said he would only return to the Braves, while Smoltz said he would be willing to go elsewhere. However, if Maddux retires, than I prefer for both Smoltz and Glavine to retire this year as well. How magical would it be to have those three enter the Hall of Fame together?

And let’s face it, it’s going to be a while before the Braves are ready to return to their playoff form. I’d rather start developing the Braves younger talent, so they’d be ready for a comeback in 2010, then have Smoltz and Glavine taking their spots. It would very odd to see a Braves roster that did not feature Smoltzie, but it would even worse if these guys miss entering together by one year.

News&Notes: The market for Jake Peavy is expanding...Greg Norton, Will Ohman and Julian Tavarez filed for free agency. I'd keep Ohman...Speaking of former Braves, Rafael Furcal filed for free agency...And apparently Andruw Jones would like to retire a Brave. Like one of those one day free agent signings? Otherwise I don't think so.
(Photo: AP)