The Rangers did not let Mark Teixeira go to Atlanta without a fight, owner Tom Hicks said Tuesday as the seven-player deal with the Braves was completed.

After nearly 24 hours of waiting, Braves general manager John Schuerholz was finally able to celebrate the official completion of the trade that brings Mark Teixeira to Atlanta.

ESPN's Jayson Stark is reporting that the Braves have reached a final deal to acquire Octavio Dotel from the Royal in exchange for Kyle Davies.

The Atlanta Braves are shopping closer Bob Wickman.

As the deadline nears, the Braves are reportedly pushing for Bronson Arroyo.

John Schuerholz, GM of the Braves was also working to get right-hander Bronson Arroyo from the Cincinnati Reds.

Now 21, Jarrod Saltalamacchia married a teacher at his high school in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The Braves could be on the verge of not only acquiring the best hitter on the trade market, but one of the best relievers as well.

Pending physicals and a few last-minute details, Texas has agreed to send first baseman Mark Teixeira and lefty reliever Ron Mahay to Atlanta for catcher/first baseman Jarrod Saltalamacchia, plus Minor Leaguers Neftali Perez and Elvis Andrus along with player to be named -- possibly pitching prospect Matt Harrison, currently injured.

The Atlanta Braves appear to be the winner for the right to acquire first baseman Mark Teixeira from the Texas Rangers.

Of all the names out there these days, Dotel's is the one that everybody seems sure will be traded by Tuesday's 4 p.

The Braves have emerged as the clear-cut front-runners to land Texas first baseman Mark Teixeira, the most prominent player being shopped before Tuesday's non-waiver trading deadline, and if they can pry the slugger away from the Rangers, it could change the complexion of the NL East race and, possibly, the playoffs.

The Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Braves and Cubs all are interested in Royals right-hander Zack Greinke, but it is doubtful the Royals would trade him unless they were overwhelmed.

Chipper Jones learned long ago not to get too excited about trade rumors, but he couldn't help himself Friday as he envisioned Atlanta's lineup should the Braves finalize a proposed trade for Texas Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira.

The Braves and Rangers continued to work on a deal that would send Teixeira and a reliever to Atlanta for a package headed by switch-hitting catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but word yesterday was that the Angels were still in hot pursuit of Teixeira, possibly dangling first baseman Casey Kotchmann and right-hander Ervin Santana.

The Yankees have been calling a few teams to see if they'd be interested in taking center fielder Johnny Damon off their hands.

Late Wednesday night, the Braves and the Texas Rangers were said to be close to a deal that would send first baseman Mark Teixeira and a relief pitcher (such as C.

With less than a week to go before the trading deadline, the Rangers are heavily involved in talks with Atlanta on a deal that could send Mark Teixeira to the Braves, major league sources confirmed Wednesday.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia is a name frequently mentioned in trade rumors.

The Yankees are hanging around on the periphery of the Mark Teixeira talks, so far balking at Texas' demands for either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain.

White Sox GM Kenny Williams isn't looking to trade his 27-year-old right-hander, but Williams is nothing if not creative and open-minded.

It's just business, Julio Franco insisted Monday.

The Cubs, Dodgers and Brewers have expressed interest in Octavio Dotel, and lefty Jimmy Gobble is drawing interest from several places.

The Yankees, along with the Braves, Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Cubs, have expressed interest in Kansas City right-hander Zack Greinke, a pitcher who could also serve as a starter if they were to need one in a pinch.

Hoping that a blast from their past will help fill a glaring need, the Braves signed 48-year-old first baseman Julio Franco for the rest of the season.

Ken Griffey Jr.

His teammates say they're confident that sore-shouldered ace John Smoltz will be healthy after the All-Star break, but some hope the front office is successful in pursuit of another quality starter through a trade.

The Braves have placed All-Star pitcher John Smoltz on the 15-day disabled list because of an inflamed right shoulder, the team said on Friday.

Two innings after tying the Atlanta home run record, Chipper Jones eclipsed it with a solo blast off Dodgers reliever Chin-hui Tsao in the eighth inning Thursday.

Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt will replace injured Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz on the National League All-Star roster.

Braves pitcher John Smoltz will meet with team doctors Friday due to lingering discomfort in his right shoulder.