Braves looking for bullpen and bench help

The Braves are still looking for the last few pieces of the puzzle to go into the 2012 season. They have made some minor trades of late and here they are.
The Chicago White Sox sent outfielder Christian Marrero to the Braves for cash.
The White Sox also traded minor league infielder Greg Paiml to the Braves for cash 
The Indians  acquired right-hander Jairo Asencio  from the Braves for cash.
Now that the Braves have completed their minor leauge moves here are the players on their wish list.
Wish List: Xavier Nady: The Braves have shown late intrest in Nady, the right fieleder of the Nationals, hoping he could be a fit for a bench role.
Will Venable: Right Fielder of the San Diego Padres, Braves asked about him, only to hear he was not avaliable.
Marlon Byrd: Would make most sense, a 34 all-star outfielder. Would most likely play leftfield with Bourn in center and Heyward in right. When Chipper returns it would be unknown as to where he would go.
 No pitcher has been a big deal of intrest yet to the Braves, but after Vizcanio will have to miss the season with Tommy John surgery, its safe to say the Braves need one more bullpen guy.
In other news: Mike Minor will start the season finale against the Mets. 5th spot canidate in Braves rotation is unknown. This would appear to be the rotation until Hudson gets back.
1. Tommy Hanson
2. Jair Jurjjens
3. Mike Minor
4. Brando Beachy
5.Delgado/Tehran
Check back for more news, and my opinion on who the Braves should target around the trade deadline.

Braves, Nationals trying to acquire Byrd

Recent reports say the Braves and Nationals are trying to acquire 34 year old centerfielder Marlyn Bryd. A great pick up from my perspective. The Nationals made an offer, but it appears it was rejected. The Braves are picking up in talks with the Cubs on Byrd. More news will come as we get a clearer image of whats happening.

Spring Training Round up

With a week left to go in spring training heres an in depth analyasis of the Atlanta Braves. The Braves have been shakey starting out. They stand at 8 and 14 near the bottom of the Spring standings. In retrospect it is spring training but it was a little unexcpected. Heres the latest news and and in depth look on some of the players.
 Chipper Jones: Tore his left miniscious and had to undergo surgery. Announced before inury this will indeed be his last proffesional baseball season. (Turns 40 in April) Should only miss first week of the 2012 season campaign.
Jason Heyward: Looks a whole lot better at the plate. Still has some rough patches, and thinks about his mechanics at the plate still insider Buster Olney reports. Look for him to have a better year, but still will be a work in progress.
Micheal Bourn: Has been quiet, but is still doing his job. He leads the Braves scoring 10 runs this spring. His contract expires after this year, but look for the Braves to sign him to a 3 year deal after the seaoson, probably around 25 million.
Tyler Pastornicky: Has struggled mightly at the plate so far, and now Andrealton Simmons might be the starting shortstop opening day. Nothing final yet.
Jack Wilson: Will be the back up shortstop to start the year. His calf feels fine, and looks to be on the active roster opening day.
Randall Delgado: Has struggled but looks to be the leading canidate over Julio Tehran for the fifth pitching spot in the starting rotation.
Mike Minor: Has had a great spring, pitched tremendously. Although he appears not to be the fifth man in the rotation. Look for him to get aggravated, ask for a trade, and end up on the Cubs in a swap for Marlyn Byrd if Atlanta is willing to pick up the salary.
 Trade Rumors: The Braves inquired on Padres outfielder Will Venable only to hear hes not avaliable. They are still looking for infield and outfield depth. Don't be suprised if the All-Star Adam Jone's name comes back up in trade talks. Also look for Delmon Young someone the Braves didn't want, but has had a great year so far in Spring. This is the latest news on the Braves, questions feel free to send an email to hawksfan14@gmail.com. Go Braves!

Rumors and updates

Well, with 2 days until spring games the braves have been a busy bunch. Tommy Hanson was in a one car accident and has a grade 1 concussion. He failed his first test and takes another one today. But that's not all of the pitcher updates. Pitched mike minor has said if he is not the 5th starting pitcher going into the season he would like to be traded. This has annoyed braves people. If Atlanta does get to trade him I say go for Adam jones of the orioles. Prospects are all the orioles can hope for. If this happens the braves not only bolster their lineup but could push for the world series. Just having the playoffs expanded why not capitalize? In rumor news the braves top free agent target next year is Nick Swisher Right fielder of the New York Yankees. Good or bad? Well have to find out! Check back in as I will try to post daily as much as possible. Go braves!

Latest news, and Fantasy draft

Only 3 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training here is the Braves latest news. Tommy Hanson has changed his pause in his delivery and now goes full throttle.If your wondering who will be a back up outfielder candidate for Bourn, your top 2 are Jose Constanza, or Luis Durango. The Braves look to come back strong and we have all the tools. In latest news, if Jair Jurrjens appears healthy in spring training, Frank Wren will be getting numerous calls on him, as Atlanta still looks for that one outfield bat they've desperately needed. More updates will come as spring training rolls along.
In other news, fantasy baseball leagues for ESPN have just commenced, and I am looking for some spots to fill. If your interested send an email to me. hawksfan14@gmail.com. There are two divisions of 10 teams. The first and second place winners will contend for a prize at the end of the year. (Depending on the number of teams) Make sure to send me an email, because spots are going quick! As Spring Training arrives, its time for the players to spring out. GO BRAVES!

Braves looking forward to a good season

After suffering a tough defeat in not making the playoffs last season with a 10 game wild card lead going into August, the Braves are looking to regroup. It was a slow off season for Atlanta with rumors flying that Martin Prado or Jair Jurrjens would be traded before Spring training. GM Frank Wren tried to make some trades, but just couldn't find a suitor that matched up. The Braves and Orioles had talks about Prado, JJ, and a prospect for Adam Jones and JJ. Hardy but talks fell slowly. They aren't officially over, but it doesn't look likely at this point. The Braves did make some minor moves. Their biggest move was trading away fading veteran pitcher Derek Lowe to the Indians for Single A pitcher Chris Jones and cash. Atlanta was also able to resign Jack Wilson to play back up at shortstop for rookie Tyler Pastornicky who will be given a shot at the starting job at the start of the season. Eric Hinske's option was picked up and he will be back for at least another year. Atlanta also added some minor league players who have played at the professional level, and have spring training invites.
Luis Durango a speedy outfielder who can attribute to the braves as a back up and utilityhitter. Here are his career numbers: .292 AVG., .361 OBP, .292 SLG. He has also stole 7 out of 8 bases in his MLB time. Some other notable pick ups this off season are: Dusty Hughes, Adam Russel (Relief Pitchers), and Drew Sutton utility infielder. In other Braves news they unveiled there newest jerseys.( If you look to the right hand side of the blog there are all the braves links to updates) If your wondering at what the projected Atlanta Braves lineup will be this year here is my opinion.
1. Micheal Bourn CF
2. Martin Prado LF
3. Chipper Jones 3B
4. Brian McCann C
5. Dan Uggla 2B
6. Freddie Freeman 1B
7. Jason Heyward RF
8. Tyler Pastornicky
9. Pitcher
This is my opinion but well see for oursleves soon enough! Pitchers and catchers report to camp February19th! Check her for all your Braves latest news and GO BRAVES!!!!

Landing Bourn equals World Series?

The Braves made a big Splash on July 31st hours before the trade deadline by acquring Michel Bourn the Houston Astros centerfielder. In return, Houston gets in return out fielder Jordan schafer, south paw Brett Oberholtzer and right-handers Paul Clemens and Juan Abreu. Bourn entering Monday is batting .303 with 64 runs and 39 stolen bases which is tops in majors. This is a better deal than getting Beltran who went to the Giants, or Pence who is with the phillies now. After Nate Mclouth went on the Dl, Atlanta knew they needed to go get a center fielder, and that is exactly what they did. Today Bourn singled in his first at bat as a brave, and got robbed of extra bases in his second at bat. While helping on the base paths and in center, Bourn will fill a needed leadoff hitter the Braves have been looking for since 2005 via Rafel Furcal. Now Atlanta will be a true threat come post season time and the good news is Bourn's contract ends in 2012 instead of being a rental player!