Big shake-up in Atlanta

The Braves lost to the Cubs last night 3-2 in 11 innings, and that was the fourth biggest story of the day for the Braves. Before the game, 305-game winner Tom Glavine was released. He had pitched 6 scoreless innings at Class A Rome, but the Braves decided it would be better for him to be released than pay him the $1 million that he was due if he was placed on the 25-man roster plus the remaining salary perks that he would require. I think it was the best thing for the Braves, they don't need to pay all that money for a 4th/5th starter and he lost all of his "home-town" compassion when he bolted for the hated New York Mets in 2003. I hope he had fun in New York, because I'm glad Atlanta strung him along until you were just about to make it back to the bigs and then they cut him loose.

Jorge Campillo was placed on the DL and the Braves called-up Tommy Hanson. Hanson will start on Sunday against the Brewers. He is the Braves top prospect and had a 1.49 ERA in 66 innings at AAA Gwinnett. He had 12.2 K/9 and a WHIP of .86, I think he is ready to show us what he can do at the big league level.

The Braves traded for Nate McLouth from the Pirates to shore up the outfield. Atlanta gave up Charlie Morton (a 4-A player, at best) and two minor leaguers (Gorkys Hernandez and Jeff Locke). I think that this was a great deal for the Braves. McLouth's contract isn't too bad ($13 million over the next three years) and he is better than any outfielder that we have put on the field this year. This may be a deal that could lead to a trade of Jeff Francoeur or a release of Garrett Anderson or something that I can't even think of yet.

All in all, a good day for the Braves even though they lost. This shows that GM Frank Wren is looking at winning this season while still able to keep the core team intact and staying fairly young as a roster. The Braves are 5.5 games behind in the NL East, but let's give this team a month to see how they can get back on track.