Bring us your weak and elderly

In what has become a theme this offseason, the Braves have once again signed an aging veteran who had an injury plagued 2009. This time, Atlanta decided to temporarily plug first base with Troy Glaus who played just 14 games for the Cardinals last year. He also spent a large portion of this final two seasons in Anaheim in the trainer’s room, playing a combined 149 games in 2003 and 2004.

Atlanta is also said to be looking at Xavier Nady as the answer to their current power outage in left. Great, because a hat trick is not good enough. Maybe they could go the Grodie Howe route and add a fight and an assist to the collection. Scratch that, maybe they could just bring in Gordie Howe.

My major concern is that the Braves are leveraging to 2010 for the future. Which normally I would be fine with, but considering this is Bobby Cox’s final season, I’d rather they put things on the line for a trip to the playoffs.
(Photo: Getty Images; source)

Braves send Vazquez back to New York

The Braves have traded RHP Javier Vazquez to the Yankees for outfielder Melky Cabrera and reliever Mike Dunn. Atlanta also sent Boone Logan to New York and received right-handed pitching prospect Arodys Vizcaino and $500,000 in the deal.

My initial reaction to the news was shear horror. Mekly is adorable like a teddy bear but I don’t really want something I created at Build-A-Bear workshop to be manning center field for the Bravos. He’s a marginal outfielder at best who amassed only 68 RBIs and 13 HRs in 154 games in 2009. And remember half those games took place in Yankee Stadium, a place where a pop fly to first suddenly becomes a homerun. In fact, in only 125 games Matt Diaz had 13 homeruns and 58 RBI, some pick up Frank!

The only upside in this deal is that it clears salary cap room to help facilitate the acquisition of a power hitter. And I swear if the Braves pick up Johnny Damon with the left over funding I am going down to Atlanta and will stalk Frank Wren like I am Tom Cruise and he is Michael David Sapir! Ok, I won’t wire tap!
(Photo: Getty Images; source)

News Heading into Christmas

Mike Gonzalez is Gonzo
Mike Gonzalez signed a two year, $12 million contract with the Orioles ending his tenure with Atlanta. Let’s see, Gonzo for $6 million a year vs. Billy Wagner for $7 million a year. 31 year old proven reliever vs. 38 year old coming off of Tommy John surgery. Oh yeah, this makes about as much sense as Gonzalez’s gingham shirt and vest combo.

(Photo: AP)

Adam LaRoche gonzo too?

Adam LaRoche’s second go round with the Braves looks like it was brief one. When asked by the Atlanta Journal Constitution about his likelihood of re-signing with Atlanta, the first basemen texted “No talk from ATL that I know of. Guess I should have hit .400 while I was there." That’s not really a fair assessment Adam, you only played with the Braves in the second half of the season when you are at your best. If you could hit .300 from April to July then you’d probably be back with Atlanta for the type of money you want.

Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez heading to the Angels?
The Braves have reportedly been in talks with the Angels to trade either Javier Vazquez or Derek Lowe west for outfielder Juan Rivera. Rivera had career totals in HRs (25) and RBI (88) but he also has a history of injury shortened seasons. If Atlanta is going to give up Lowe or Vazquez, I’d rather they get someone a bit better back.

(Photo: AP & Reuters)

Braves stock up at the bargain bin
Atlanta have invited Scott Proctor, Joe Thurston, Mitch Gomez, Brent Clevien and three others to spring training as non-roster invitees. Proctor has made 262 career relief appearances with the Yankees and Dodgers among others. He underwent Tommy John surgery and will likely be unavailable until May. Good, he and Billy Wagner can trade war stories.


Former Brave Signings
Outfielder Ryan Langerhans has signed a one year, $525,000 contract to stay with the Seattle Mariners.

Things are also looking up for second baseman Kelly Johnson who is being pursued by the Diamondbacks.

UPDATE: Jason Marquis signed a two year, $15 million contract with the Washington Nationals. Wow, the Nats have really been stocking up this offseason.

(Photo: AP)

We’ve Got A Lot of Catching Up to Do

It has been a very busy offseason for the Braves so here’s a quick look back on the last two months:

Braves re-sign Tim Hudson
After opting out of his contract, Tim Hudson decided to stay with Atlanta, signing a three year deal worth $28 million. The contract also includes a club option for 2013.

“Strengthening the Bullpen”
The Braves were unsure if either Mike Gonzalez or Rafael Soriano would accept arbitration so they decided to be proactive by picking up Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito. The idea made sense but paying Billy Wagner, an aging veteran who is coming off of Tommy John surgery, $7 million for one year seems excessive. And then add the $3 million they gave to Saito who will be forty before the season starts and it seems like that $10 million would have been served better as part of Jason Bay’s contract than on two guys who are closer to 50 than they are to 20.

Trades
Rafael Soriano surprised the Braves by accepting their arbitration offer which left them with an extra reliever and no where to put his contract ($7.25 million) so they sent him to the Rays for reliever Jesse Chavez.

After re-signing Tim Hudson, the Braves are overflowing with starters. At last count they had six legitimate pitchers going for five rotation spots. So instead of moving Kenshin Kawakami to the bullpen, alleviating the problem and keeping a competent starter for emergency use, the Braves have decided to dangle Derek Lowe. Currently, the market seems a bit stale for a pitcher who still has three more years on his $60 million contract, but Atlanta is holding out hope.

Diaz In, Johnson and Church Out
The Braves re-signed outfielder Matt Diaz to a one year, $2.25 million contract while cutting second baseman Kelly Johnson and outfielder Ryan Church. Martin Prado proved to be a much better option at second and let’s face it Ryan Church already served his purpose; he got Jeff Francoeur out of Atlanta. Anything after that was icing on the cake.

So What’s Next?
With the bullpen solidified, Atlanta now must turn their emphasis to their offense. The Braves are not contenders in the Matt Holliday sweepstakes and the Mets look to be very aggressive in the Jason Bay free for all so that leaves very few good options for the Braves - who by the way – could also use a first baseman. Xavier Nady is an interesting option. He has power, but he is coming off of Tommy John surgery. Hank Blalock has power but is not very consistent and the same could be said for Ryan Garko. Atlanta’s best option will probably come from the trade market; I just wish someone would take Kawakami off Atlanta’s hands instead of Derek Lowe.

(Photos: AP)