No Score Atlanta this week, but that doesn't mean there still isn't a Braves Beat.....also appearing on scoreatl.com!
The Atlanta Braves organization has officially offered free agent lefty Tom Glavine a one-year contract worth between $1M-2M. The 300 game winner returned to the Braves last season after spending several years with division rival New York. Glavine went on the DL for the first time of his career last season, and his season ended early when he needed surgery to fix the injury. The pitcher has repeatedly said that he aims to pitch in 2009 and several recent pitching sessions have shown he should be healthy enough to do so. The Braves have solidified the pitching rotation with acquisitions of Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami but lost long-time Brave John Smoltz. Braves officials have indicated that the team still is seeking a leftfielder but only has about 7M left to spend this off-season.
Reliever Will Ohman, who spent 2008 with Atlanta after coming over in a trade with Chicago along with Omar Infante, has caught the eye of several of the Braves’ biggest rivals this off-season. The Braves offered the lefthander a contract back in December but recently the Phillies and the New York Mets have expressed interest in bring in Ohman for this upcoming season.
Former Brave Hank Aaron celebrated his 75th birthday last week with several high profile guests in attendance. Former President Bill Clinton, former Braves owner Ted Turner, and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig were among many people who wished the former Home Run King well on his big day.
Pitchers and catchers will soon report to the Braves spring training facility in Florida to prepare for a very important 2009 in a season. The battery units are scheduled to report next Saturday with the remainder of the roster to arrive February 18. Catcher Brian McCann and Chipper Jones will only stay for a brief stint though as both are expected to make the final roster for the Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Jones was on the team in 2006 along with Jeff Francoeur. Jones is expected to split time at 3B and DH along with Mets third baseman David Wright. McCann meanwhile should get most of the playing time behind the dish, as Joe Mauer of the Twins will likely miss the WBC as he recovers from off-season surgery.
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