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?