Nate McClouth in, Tom Glavine out. Hanson up?

Today, June 3 marks a big day in the present and future of the Atlanta Braves. The first action of the day took place this afternoon when the Braves decided to release 300 game winner Tom Glavine. The lefty was attempting to come back from arm surgery and the team reportedly wanted him to make another rehab start, which Glavine seemingly wasn't willing to do. Glavine was released before being added to the roster which saves the team $1M immediately and an additional 1.5 after 31 days. This move and GM Frank Wren's comments (about the scouts not believing the rehab was going well, opposite of what Glavine was saying) also gives me the feeling that perhaps Wren didn't want Glavine to return this past off-season, but was perhaps outvoted, especially on the heels of losing Smoltz.

But now with the money saved from Glavine and since it is after the June 1 Super 2 Arbitration date, Tommy Hanson perhaps is just a week away from being called up to the show. Nothing will block the path now and Medlin can be moved to the bullpen or back to Gwinnett with some confidence after getting a win over the weekend.

Finally, the biggest news of the day is Nate McClouth being acquired from Pittsburgh. The Braves gave up Gorkys Hernandez, Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke to get the 26 year old McClouth, who is under contract this season for 2.6 and the next three years at 5M per. This is bad news for Jordan Schafer, who is likely now trade bait...unless he gets back on track and McClouth is moved to left next season for Schafer to take over in center in 2010.
What will the future hold for Jeff Francoeur? He sticks until maybe 2010 or 2011 when Cody Johnson arrives to play left and Jason Heyward can play in right. When Frenchy turned down that contract in 2006 or 07 (sorry, can't remember) the team made Heyward its corner outfielder of the future and Cody Johnson can rake, as evidenced by his 18 HR this season.
As far as Schafer, if he doesn't turn it around, look for him to be moved. McClouth is good enough to stay in center for the next 8 years if the Braves can resign him. He would have been a perfect place holder for Gorkys Hernandez and you KNOW Wren tried to include Schafer in the deal, but his struggles likely kept him out of the deal.
To make an omelet, you have to break a few eggs. Gorkys in this case is the egg. I know what McClouth can do, not sure what Hernandez COULD DO. And if you think about it, Gorkys was part of the Renteria/Jurrjens deal, so Renteria got you Jurrjens AND McClouth. A good deal there, considering Jeff Locke would never have been more than likely a third starter AT BEST for Atlanta and Morton, who didn't hack it last season with Atlanta.
For Pittsburgh, GHernandez takes McClouth's spot in two seasons and Morton could be a 4th for them RIGHT now and a 2 in several years. Jeff Locke could be a #3 in two years for them. Really spare parts for Atlanta for a potential all-star and Pittsburgh gets good pieces it can build with.

As far as McClouth, he hit 26 HR last year with 94 RBI and a .276 average. This season he has 9HR and a .256 average. He will hit leadoff immediately. He might be the second best power hitter for Atlanta, behind Chipper, but his speed should put him right at the top of the lineup.
CF McClouth, SS Yunel, 3b Chipper, C McCann, LF Anderson 2b Kelly Johnson 1b Casey Kotchman (when healthy), Rf Frency
Wow when Frenchy, a potential 21 HR guy hits 8th. McClouth puts the Braves right back in this thing.

So with a rotation of Lowe, JJ, Vazquez (Who could be traded to restock the farm system), KK and Hanson, this team could really make a move. That is a lot to ask for with McClouth (who could be penciled in at 4, if you wanted to with KJ, YE, CJ, NM, BMac, GA, CK and Frenchy), but hey, time to step up bro. They traded away the future CF for you. BE WORTH IT!