Braves Lock Up Glavine and Frenchy too!

300-game winner Tom Glavine and the Atlanta Braves have inked a 1-year contract with a $1 million base-salary. Incentives could stretch the deal to $4.5 million. Glavine is a two-time Cy Younger, has appeared in 10 All-Star Games and the 1995 World Series MVP. 

Glavine had a brief stint for the New York Mets between 2003-2007. Glavine signed as a free-agent last year with the Braves for $8 million. The Braves have slotted Glavine into the 5th spot in the rotation, but look for him to compete for the #4 with Kawakami when Glavine is 100% . 

The Braves and Jeff Francoeur agreed to a $3.375 million contract for 2009. Frenchy can earn up to $25,00 in bonuses. The interesting part of Frenchy deal, it that it comes a day after missing out of Griffey.  ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that the Braves will most likely look for a "internal option" at outfield. Some players mentioned are: Gregor Blanco, Josh Anderson (who came over last season from the Astros via the Oscar Villrreal trade) and aBn's #3 prospect Jordan Schaffer. Schaffer's probably got the best shot of earning the CF spot for Opening Day but don't count out Anderson who was once regarded as a top prospect by Baseball America. 

aBn: We Know Drama! Ken Griffey signs with M's

Another bad day in Bravo-land this off-season. Ken Griffey Jr. who appeared to be headed to Lake Buena Vista, Florida for Braves Spring Training decided to sign with the Seattle Mariners tonight. The deal is reported to be a 1-year contract, that guarantees Jr. $2 million, and Jr. can earn up to $4.5 million in incentives based on at-bats and M's attendance. The M's are projecting that they will draw an additional 200,000 fans at Safeco Field by having Griffey on their roster. 

Braves beat-writer Mark Bowman says, "Griffey's tide turned shortly after he became upset with the fact that The Atlanta-Journal Constitution was reporting the he'd already decided to play for the Braves." 

Griffey Jr., has always expressed interest in playing for Bobby Cox, with Chipper Jones and for the Braves organization that his father competed for in the 80's. It's somewhat ironic how Griffey has had two chances in his lifetime to sign with the Braves; once in 1999 and this one being the most recent opportunity. Don't forget, Griffey called the Braves campaigning for a job just last week. Looks like Frank Wren may have got "Furcaled!"

Two Deals in the Works....

Ken Griffey Jr. and the Braves have yet to agree to a contract. Rumors have been circulating around the 'sports-world' that Griffey was going to sign a 1-year deal worth $2 million, but is he is hesitate to agree to terms with Atlanta because he does not want to upset M's fans. I am still keen on the Griffey signing and confident that he is capable of hitting 20 HR's, 60-70 RBI's while maintaing a .250 average. The only thing that troubles me about Griffey are the injury risks he brings with him. 

Atlanta Journal Constitution's Braves beat-writer David O'Brien discusses the possibility of Chipper Jones signing an extension with the Bravos. Chipper is like a fine-wine, and is getting better in age. Chipper has hit above .320 the past three seasons and is by far one of the best hitters in baseball. He outsmarts his oppnonets by drivng the ball to the opposite field and can hit for power or average. If Chipper is capable of putting up similar numbers to what he has the past couple of years I would be willing to offer him 3-4 years. 

Player Preview: Chipper Jones

Sorry for the late blog today... Anyways, there's not much going on in Bravos-land today. Older news is new news again. The Braves are moving closer to signing both Ken Griffey Jr. and Tom Glavine, but no official statement has been made by either party. 

To kick off this wonderful Tuesday I have decided to start "aBn's Player Preview." Chipper Jones is today's feature. Chipper Jones was selected by the Braves 1st overall pick in the 1990 amateur draft. Ever since then he has become one of Atlanta's most prestigious sports icons. Chipper hit 100+ RBI's for eight-consecutive season (between 1996-2003), but his streak came to a halt while Chipper was battling injuries in '04. In 1999 Chipper was awarded the league MVP. Chipper hit his 400th HR off Marlins SP Ricky Nolasco June 5, 2008. 

The past three seasons Chipper has had an OPS higher than 1.000 and batting average higher than .320. Chipper has battled injuries throughout his career. If Chipper can stay healthy this year he is capable of hitting 20-25 HR's, 100RBI's while maintaing a .320-.330 avg. and 1.000 OPS. Chipper is key to the Brave's success this year. He is one of the few experienced veteran bats the Braves will have in their lineup and can definitely help mentor young guns like Jordan Schaffer, Yunel Escobar, Brian McCann and Casey Kotchman. A healthy Chipper Jones can be a huge asset to a our defense and offense.