The Braves would like to make improvements at both RF and 1B while moving Derek Lowe. With that in mind it would make sense for the Braves to offer Derek Lowe and outfielder Gregor Blanco to the Rockies for Brad Hawpe and Garrett Atkins. Atkins might have had a poor year last season for the Rockies but he has been productive in recent years and he could also provide insurance at 3B in case Chipper Jones decides to retire. Brad Hawpe would bring a nice lefty bat with power to RF. Derek Lowe would probably pitch really well for the Rockies as his sinker would likely play well at Coors Field.

With Manager Bobby Cox back in the fold look for the Braves to be really aggressive in free agency this winter. The Braves have six free agents of their own with them likely interested in bringing back at least three of them. Adam LaRoche, Tim Hudson and either Rafael Soriano or Mike Gonzalez are the players the Braves would like to bring back into the fold. The Braves won’t likely sign both Gonzalez and Soriano so at least one of them won’t be a Brave in 2010. Garret Anderson and Greg Norton will more than likely be allowed to leave over the winter. If Adam LaRoche decides to leave Atlanta then the Braves will likely go after Hank Blalock, Nick Johnson or Carlos Delgado to start at 1B in 2010. The Braves are also in the market for a big time corner outfielder to bat in the middle of the lineup. Jason Bay and Matt Holliday likely top the Braves’ wish list. If they miss out on those guys look for them to make overtures to guys like Bobby Abreu, Jermaine Dye, Vladimir Guerrero and to a lesser extent Marlon Byrd. If both Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez leave the Braves will have to rebuild the back end of the bullpen. Jose Valverde, Billy Wagner, Takashi Saito, Fernando Rodney and J.J. Putz would likely interest the Braves in the closer’s role if the Braves need one. The Braves also need a second lefty in the bullpen so Joe Beimel, Scott Eyre, Ron Mahay, John Grabow, Darren Oliver and Brian Shouse would likely interest the team. The Braves will also likely show interest in righty relievers like Kiko Calero, Brendan Donnelly, LaTroy Hawkins, Bobby Howry, Brandon Lyon and David Weathers. The Braves will be going for the gusto in 2010 with a dead aim on the Philadelphia Phillies so they will have to spend some cash.

The Braves have granted free agency to 31-year old righty Jorge Campillo, 31-year old righty Buddy Carlyle and 34-year old righty Vladimir Nunez. The 31-year old Campillo will no doubt get a chance with another team next season. He pitched in only 5 games (0 starts) for the Braves last season and he was 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA and a 2.31 WHIP. He pitched in parts of two years for the Braves appearing in 44 games (25 starts) in which he was 9-7 with a 3.92 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Righty reliever Buddy Carlyle did not pitch too well for the Braves this season working in 16 games (0 starts) in which he was 0-1 with a 8.86 ERA and a 2.20 WHIP. Carlyle pitched in parts of three seasons for the Braves covering 83 games (20 starts) in which he was 10-8 with a 5.09 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Righty reliever Vladimir Nunez only worked in 1 game for the Braves this season and he was 0-0 with a 36.00 ERA and a 4.00 WHIP. In parts of two seasons with the Braves Nunez worked in 24 games (0 starts) in which he was 1-2 with a 4.81 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. The Braves won’t miss any of these guys but a smart team might take a flier on Campillo who pitched really well for the Braves in 2008.