The Atlanta Braves did not tender 27-year old lefty starting pitcher Chuck James a contract for 2009 making him a free agent. James pitched in 7 games (all starts) last season for the Braves and he was 2-5 with a 9.10 ERA and a 1.89 WHIP. He finished his career with the Braves having pitched in 64 games (55 starts) in which he was 24-19 with a 4.48 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. This could come back to haunt the Braves if James can ever stay healthy.

The Braves have signed 31-year old righty swinging catcher David Ross to a 2-year contract to back up Brian McCann. Ross played in 60 games for the Red Sox and Reds last season. In those games, Ross was 32 for 142 (.225 avg) with 18 runs scored, 3 homers and 13 RBIs. Ross has now played in 431 games in his major league career and he is 250 for 1,124 (.222 avg, .744 OPS) with 132 runs scored, 60 homers and 154 RBIs. This was a good move for the Braves as Ross will give them some power off of the bench.

The Braves have acquired righty starting pitcher Javier Vazquez and lefty reliever Boone Logan in exchange for catcher Tyler Flowers, shortstop Brent Lillibridge, 3B Jon Gilmore and lefty reliever Santos Rodriguez. The Braves paid a high price for Vazquez but they needed a veteran innings eating pitcher for the top of the rotation and he definately qualifies. The 32-year old righty started 33 games for the White Sox last season and he was 12-16 with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. He has now pitched in 355 games (353 starts) in his major league career and he has compiled a record of 127-129 with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. 24-year old lefty reliever Boone Logan has not had a lot of success to date in his major league career. Logan pitched in 55 games (0 starts) last season for the White Sox and he was 2-3 with a 5.95 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP. Logan has now pitched in 144 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 4-4 with 1 save, a 5.87 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. The Braves did give up a few quality prospects to get their hands on Vazquez and Logan. 22-year old righty swinging catcher Tyler Flowers was the #12 prospect in the Braves’ minor league system heading into the 2008 season according to Baseball America. Flowers played in 122 games in A-ball last season and he was 119 for 413 (.288 avg, .921 OPS) with 72 runs scored, 17 homers, 88 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Brent Lillibridge was the #6 prospect in the Braves’ system heading into 2008 according to Baseball America but he had a rough year. Lillibridge played in 29 games with the Braves last season and he was 16 for 80 (.200 avg, .576 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 1 homer, 8 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He also played in 90 games in AAA ball last season and he was 78 for 355 (.220 avg, .638 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 4 homers, 39 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. 20-year old righty swinging 3B Jon Gilmore was the #13 prospect in the Braves’ system heading into the 2008 season according to Baseball America. Gilmore played in 94 games in rookie + A-ball last season and he was 106 for 360 (.294 avg, .714 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 4 homers and 35 RBIs. 20-year old lefty reliever Santos Rodriguez was outstanding in Rookie ball last season. He pitched in 14 games (0 starts) last season and he was 1-2 with 5 saves, a 2.79 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Rodriguez only allowed 16 hits and whiffed 45 batters in only 29 innings last season. The Braves paid a high price for Vazquez but they were desperate for rotation help and the White Sox held their feet to the fire.