Braves agreed to terms with second baseman Marcus Giles on a one-year, $3.85 million contract.
It's a $1.5 million raise for Giles, who is expected to replace Rafael Furcal as the Braves' leadoff hitter this season. It's not a switch that will help his fantasy value, though he wasn't driving in a lot of runs as a No. 2 hitter anyway.
Braves agreed to terms with RHP Oscar Villarreal on a one-year, $462,500 contract.
- Great move!
That might be less than any other arbitration-eligible player has to settle for. Villarreal, who has missed most of the last two years with arm problems, will likely have a spot in Atlanta's bullpen if healthy.
Braves agreed to terms with LHP Horacio Ramirez on a one-year, $2.2 million contract.
- Depth is always nice.
Ramirez, who went 11-9 with a 4.63 ERA last season, was eligible for arbitration for the first time. He'll be back in Atlanta's rotation this season, but the Braves may not be as patient with him, not if Kyle Davies and Chuck James impress
Braves agreed to terms with RHP Jorge Sosa on a one-year, $2.2 million contract.
- WhoreAm is back. Unlike everyone else, I actually like HoRam.
He earn an additional $50,000 if he pitches 205 innings. Sosa will open the year as the Braves' third or fourth starter. He's not as good of a bet with Leo Mazzone gone, but he should have a fair amount of value in NL-only leagues.
Braves agreed to terms with LHP Mike Remlinger on a minor league contract.
- I'd love to see him as our 3rd starter. Good move to keep him around, and for not much.
Leo Mazzone, who probably was greatly responsible for turning Remlinger's career around back in 1999, is no longer around, so it looks like something of a long shot that the Braves will get anything out of the soon-to-be 40-year-old. At best, maybe he'll be an adequate middle reliever.
Tim Hudson confirmed Wednesday that he won't take part in the World Baseball Classic next month.
- .......I don't care. Anyone does?
"I'm not 2-3 weeks ahead of schedule, like I should be if I was going to [the WBC]," Hudson said. "Obviously I've dealt with some [injuries] the last couple of years, and my No. 1 concern is to not deal with that again. Nobody would have felt worse than me if I'd gone out and gotten hurt in the WBC and not been ready for the season."
Braves signed RHP Carlos Almanzar to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Almanzar had a 3.72 ERA in 72 2/3 innings for the Rangers in 2004, but he collapsed at the start of last season and underwent Tommy John surgery in May. He probably won't be ready to help the Braves at the start of the year, but he could be of some use in middle relief later on
The Braves have reportedly voided the minor league contract of Jeff Bennett after finding a pre-existing elbow problem during his physical.
Bennett missed much of last season after failing to make the Brewers out of spring training. No word yet on whether surgery is a possibility.