The Braves have traded 26-year old lefty swinging outfielder Josh Anderson to the Tigers for 24-year old righty reliever Rudy Darrow. Anderson played in 40 games for the Braves last season in which he was 40 for 136 (.294 avg, .764 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 3 homers, 12 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. In Darrow the Braves have received the #14 ranked prospect in the Tigers’ minor league system. Darrow pitched in 47 games (0 starts) in A+AA ball last season in which he was 5-3 with 10 saves, a 2.02 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. This was a nice haul for Anderson for the Braves.

The Braves have released 29-year old righty reliever Phil Stockman. Stockman pitched in 19 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last season in which he was 1-1 with 2 saves, a 2.10 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He also pitched in 6 games (0 starts) for the Braves last season in which he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP. Stockman has finished his career with the Braves having worked 10 games (0 starts) in which he was 0-0 with a 0.79 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. This is a good sign for the Braves’ bullpen as Stockman has been a decent pitcher lately.

36-year old switch hitting 3B Chipper Jones is still the man. He played in 128 games for the Braves last season and he was 160 for 439 (.364 avg, 1.044 OPS) with 82 runs scored, 22 homers, 75 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Jones made 13 errors in 115 games at 3B last season for the Braves in which he showed good range. The Braves need a healthy Jones to compete in the N.L. East with the powerhouse teams the Phillies and Mets are going to field in 2009.

Martin Prado and Omar Infante will back up Jones again in 2009. Prado is the better defender at 3B of these two guys as he only made 1 error in 24 games at 3B while showing outstanding range. Infante made 4 errors in 32 games at 3B last season while showing average range.

29-year old switch hitting Brooks Conrad finally made it to the majors last season but it will be hard for him to make the Braves in 2009. Conrad played in 6 games for the A’s last season and he was 3 for 19 (.158 avg, .369 OPS) with 2 RBIs. He also played in 117 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 113 for 465 (.243 avg, .821 OPS) with 86 runs scored, 28 homers, 91 RBIs and 4 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: A-

26-year old righty swinging shortstop Yunel Escobar heard his name in rumors connected with Padres’ pitcher Jake Peavy all winter but the Braves kept him and he will start for them in 2009. Escobar played in 136 games for the Braves in 2008 and he was 148 for 514 (.288 avg, .767 OPS) with 71 runs scored, 10 homers and 60 RBIs. He made 16 errors in 126 games at shortstop last season for the Braves but he showed really good range there. Look for Escobar to improve both in the field and with the bat in his hands in 2009.

27-year old righty swinging Omar Infante will be Escobar’s caddy in 2009. He played in 96 games for the Braves last season and he was 93 for 317 (.293 avg, .754 OPS) with 45 runs scored, 3 homers and 40 RBIs. He made 5 errors in 20 games at shortstop last season but he showed good range. Having Infante around is probably what made Escobar available in trade over the winter as he could handle the full time job if given a chance.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B

The Braves have placed 33-year old righty starting pitcher Tim Hudson on the 60-day disabled list.  Hudson had Tommy John Surgery last season and probably won’t be ready to return to the Braves until August.  He pitched in 23 games (22 starts) for the Braves last season and he was 11-7 with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP.  In four seasons with the Braves, Hudson has pitched in 121 games (120 starts) in which he was 54-38 with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.  If Hudson’s timetable is correct the Braves will be adding him right around the trade deadline without giving anything up and that will be huge if they are still in the playoff race then.

The Braves have outrighted 26-year old lefty starting pitcher Anthony Lerew to AAA.  He pitched in 14 games (13 starts) in Rookie + A-ball last season and he was 1-5 with a 4.44 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP.  Lerew has also pitched in 11 games (3 starts) in his career with the Braves and he is 0-2 with a 8.31 ERA and a 1.98 WHIP.  The Braves would likely want to keep Lerew in the minors while he continues to return to form after having Tommy John Surgery a couple of years ago.

UPDATE: The Braves have released Anthony Lerew as they appear to not be willing to wait on him to get his act back together.

27-year old lefty swinging Kelly Johnson will be the starting 2B in 2009 for the Braves. Johnson played in 150 games for the Braves last season and he was 157 for 547 (.287 avg, .795 OPS) with 86 runs scored, 12 homers, 69 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. The converted outfielder showed good range last season at 2B in 144 games there but he did make 14 errors. Look for him to have another solid season for the Braves in 2009.

25-year old righty swinging Martin Prado will again backup Johnson in 2009. He also will play some shortstop and 3B as he’s a versatile fielder. Prado played in 78 games for the Braves last season and he was 73 for 228 (.320 avg, .838 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 2 homers, 33 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Prado showed outstanding range in 17 games at 2B for the Braves last season but he made 3 errors in those games.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B