More from RealGM
 Atlanta Braves WiretapNews Archive
MLB News
Braves Will Try To Deal Hudson
They still might, if the right offer comes along. But it seems less likely given general manager John Schuerholz's stated offseason priority. "We're going to strengthen our pitching staff ," Schuerholz said. "That's goal No. 1. We're going to do everything we possibly can to return our pitching, from top to bottom, to the standards that were set around here for the last 15 years. That's our goal. And we believe we can do that." Via Atlanta Journal-Constitution Atlanta Braves Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Braves' Long Playoff Run Over
Atlanta's streak of 14 straight postseason appearances ended with a 9-8 loss Sunday to the Rockies, who got a grand slam from Matt Holliday. Atlanta had won 14 straight division titles heading into this season but the Mets won the NL East. The loss to the Rockies combined with the Phillies' 10-7 win over Florida eliminated Atlanta from the wild-card race with six games left. "I can't believe it," Cox said. "We tried to get it done. We couldn't do it." Atlanta Braves Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Braves Exercise 2007 Option On Smoltz
Schuerholz informed Smoltz of the decision on Wednesday and then formally completed the transaction on Thursday. "John has been a constant for this organization, both with his pitching and leadership, and our plan to exercise this contract option for next season was never in question," Schuerholz said through a release. Atlanta Braves Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Braves Sep 2006 Archive
|
If the Braves could find a team to pick up the remaining $33 million Tim Hudson is guaranteed over the next three seasons, plus give Atlanta some younger talent, they might have already traded him.
Braves manager Bobby Cox will have to find something else to do now when the postseason starts. 
One day after giving closer Bob Wickman a one-year contract extension, John Schuerholz announced that the club has exercised the $8 million option that guarantees John Smoltz's return to Atlanta.