Atlanta Braves Wiretap

Royals Fire GM Baird; Hire Braves' Dayton Moore

While the Royals haven't confirmed they've offered Braves assistant Dayton Moore the team's general manager job, the current GM Allard Baird revealed that he was fired Wednesday morning, The Kansas City Star reported.

"I was told this morning," Baird told the paper. "Beyond that, I don't have anything to say."

Sources tell the paper that Moore is getting a five-year contract and complete control over baseball operations.

Moore, 39, is expected to take control, officially, next week after baseball's two-day draft. Assistant general manager Muzzy Jackson will replace Baird on an interim basis, the paper reported.

The Royals are mired in one of their worst seasons ever, and rumors of Baird's demise had floated for weeks.

Via ESPN.com

Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves

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Braves Hit Franchise-Record Home Runs

The Braves won a wild one at Wrigley Field Sunday, outlasting the Chicago Cubs 13-12 in 11 innings. The Braves were forced into extra innings, even though they hit a franchise-record eight home runs on the afternoon. This broke the previous record of seven, set on August 3rd, 1967 against these same Chicago Cubs in Milwaukee.

The record-breaking blast was hit by catcher Brayan Pena, who was also his first career major league home run.

Via Associated Press

Atlanta Braves

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Tony Pena's Son Could Receive Seven-Figure Signing Bonus

The Yankees and Mets could be battling each other again in July, this time for the 16-year-old son of Yankees first-base coach Tony Pena.

Both teams are among several who have shown interest in Francisco Pena, a catcher in the Dominican Republic who seems likely to receive a seven-figure signing bonus once he becomes eligible to sign on July 2. The Yankees and Atlanta Braves have flown Francisco to the U.S. for workouts, and Mets general manager Omar Minaya is believed to have contacted him personally.

Francisco, 6-2 and 205 pounds, has pop in his bat and a strong arm, but has been described as having a bit of a "soft body."

"He's got a chance to be good, a real good chance to be good," said Tony Pena, a former All-Star catcher. "At that age, a better arm than me."

Via Newsday

Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, New York Yankees

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