According to Dave O’Brien of the AJC, the Braves have shown interest in acquiring Brian Fuentes from the Rockies. He will be a very good left handed reliever to use in the 8th or 9th inning. DOB said that the Braves just don’t want to take on his entire salary.Fuentes earned $3.5MM in 2007, and will get a raise in his last year before free agency. He will probably make$5MM for 2008. That’s the price of a good setup man these days. That could mean that the Braves and Rockies have reached an agreement on a deal. That is just pure speculation on my part. Since Mike Gonzalez is coming back until around the all-star break. This would be a huge pick up to an already above average bullpen. Fuentes had a 3.08 ERA last year, with 56 strikeouts in 61.1 innings pitched. The Braves should totally go after Fuentes.
Dave O’Brien of the AJC, also has open up the idea of the Braves of signing Braves killer Tony Clark. Clark would bring veteran leadership and most importantly some pop off the bench.
Former Braves outfielder has signed with the Washington Nationals for a one-year deal. Willie Harris wanted to comeback to play for his hometown team, but there was no space in the roster for him.
The Braves will open the season on a Sunday March 30 against the Washington Nationals. The nationally televised game will officially open the baseball season and Washington’s new waterfront ballpark, and the Braves will return to Atlanta immediately afterward to play what had been their previously scheduled opener March 31 against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Turner Field. Most likely this game will be played on ESPN.
On a negative note there were 12 former Braves in the Mitchell Report — Paul Byrd, Matt Franco, Ken Caminiti, Darren Holmes, David Justice, Kent Mercker, Denny Neagle, Todd Pratt, John Rocker, Gary Sheffield, Mike Stanton, Wally Joyner.
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