Now that Braves GM Frank Wren has said that the team is officially out of the Jake Peavy sweepstakes, the team has focused its starting pitching bulls-eye squarely on Blue Jays free agent AJ Burnett. The righty’s agent has told the media that the Braves are one of six teams involved in serious negotiations with the 31-year old. Burnett’s career record is 87-76. Meanwhile it appears that the Braves will lose out on Japanese pitching sensation Junichi Tazawa. The pitcher’s representation has hinted that the righty will sign with the Boston Red Sox. Also the Braves have decided not to offer arbitration to type B free agent pitcher John Smoltz.
The Braves 40 man roster includes four new names, including one from outside the organization. The team purchased the contracts of infielder Diory Hernandez from AAA-Gwinnett/Richmond as well as the contracts of two right handed pitchers in Todd Redmond and Stephen Marek. Finally Eric O’Flaherty was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. Hernandez has been with the team since 2002 and split time last season between AA-Mississippi and AAA-Richmond. Redmond was named the Southern League Pitcher of the Year after posting 13 wins and 133 strikeouts, both league-leading statistics. Marek was acquired in the Mark Teixeira deal in July and has excelled in Fall and Winter leagues this offseason. Finally O’Flaherty started the 2008 season in Seattle before being sent down to the team’s AA affiliate. The team also claimed Jairo Cuevas off waivers from the Kansas City Royals, but Cuevas will be out until July or August, recovering from off-season surgery.
With all of the publicity that Braves pitching prospect Tommy Hanson is getting from his excelling in the Arizona Fall League, catching prospect Tyler Flowers’ performance has been just as impressive. Flowers had 12 home runs to lead the AFL, along with a .387 average. He also received AFL Batter of the year honors from www.mopupduty.com. In a recent online chat, Wren said that the team has no plans to move Flowers from behind the plate.
Braves fans have a chance to give two Braves the recognition that they were not given by the Baseball writers last month. Chipper Jones is up for Hitter of the Year and Jair Jurrjens is up for Rookie of the Year as part of the TYIB awards. Fans can visit MLB.com to vote.
Before the Braves open up the 2009 MLB season in Philadelphia, the team will see extensive action in Spring Training with a 35 game schedule. The Braves home base for spring training is Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The team’s first game is against Detroit in Lakeland on February 25, before its “home” opener against Houston on February 26. The schedule includes games against Toronto, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, the Yankees, Washington, Florida, St. Louis, the Mets, and the Red Sox. The Braves will also host the Venezuela World Baseball Classic team, as well as the Panama team. The preseason will wrap up April 3 and 4 at Turner Field as the Detroit Tigers visit Atlanta for two exhibition games. Ticket prices range from $15-32 and can be acquired by visiting www.atlantabraves.com or by calling the spring training ticket office or Ticketmaster.
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