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Braves Rumors: Hampton, Ludwick, Burnett

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 20, 2008 at 6:28pm CST]

Braves GM Frank Wren chatted with fans on MLB.com today and David O'Brien has some new Braves rumors as well.

Wren told O'Brien that the Braves have had "a number of conversations" with Mike Hampton about keeping him in Atlanta. In his MLB.com chat, Wren said he thinks Hampton is still a "very good pitcher."
O'Brien says that talks with the Cardinals about Ryan Ludwick "aren't dead." Wren doesn't comment when asked about Ludwick in the chat, but that is in itself something of a statement.
O'Brien says that if Atlanta can't trade for Ludwick, Raul Ibanez would be an outfield target. Wren said in his chat that he'd like to acquire a "productive bat in the outfield," and that a right-handed hitter would be ideal.
Not surprisingly, Wren writes in the chat that he'd like to have A.J. Burnett in the Braves' rotation next year. Wren adds that the Braves have had discussions about bringing back Paul Byrd for a third time.
Wren told O'Brien that he's going to worry about assembling the 2009 team before working on extensions for players like Chipper Jones.
And Brian McCann's already lost 22 pounds since the end of the season.

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Comments

Sorry for the random, non-baseball post
BUT
Does anyone know how to get rid of a cold very quickly?
I have one and it is unfortunate because all I can do is post pathetic comments like this one....

Oh, and is McCann a free agent? And if so, how 'bout him in a Tiger uniform?

Posted by: pskip13 | November 20, 2008 at 06:30 PM

Just checked the FA list
No McCann

I was thinking of Estrada

Posted by: pskip13 | November 20, 2008 at 06:32 PM

WTF?

McCann is not even arbitration eligible, much less a FA.

Posted by: Land-Man | November 20, 2008 at 06:38 PM

Bring Byrd and Burnett in baby girl.

Posted by: Showtime35 | November 20, 2008 at 06:41 PM

Take some zink pskip, it REALLY helps.

Posted by: soufside4life | November 20, 2008 at 06:43 PM

McCann is signed until 2012 and has an option for 2013

Posted by: csg | November 20, 2008 at 06:44 PM

22 pounds in two months? At this rate he might be 170 by opening day.

Posted by: scottandwtb | November 20, 2008 at 06:52 PM

If Wren wants a right handed hitter, why would Ibanez be an option?

And why do the Cardinals seem so intent on trading Ludwick? Do they know something the rest of us don't?

McCann losing weight in the offseason seems kind of strange unless he was on steroids and went off of them. Otherwise why would he lose weight when he's not playing, and not wearing that heavy gear during the hot months of summer? That's when he would lose weight not now.

Posted by: rememberthecoop | November 20, 2008 at 07:36 PM

Wren never said Ibanez is an option..he's always said hes looking to trade for a corner outfielder. None of the FA's are worth the money or they don't fit the need of the braves OF. We have enough lefties.

Posted by: sassandcompany | November 20, 2008 at 07:42 PM

Braves should get Burnett so he could kill the mets. dont you Braves fans want Smoltz instead of Byrd? Smoltz was dominating before getting injured.

Posted by: yankfan1 | November 20, 2008 at 07:44 PM

even before Smoltz was done for the season last year he was coming back to be in the bullpen. He's gonna be in the bullpen if anything next year....so yeah we would love to have him in the rotation but it's not looking like an option

Posted by: sassandcompany | November 20, 2008 at 07:46 PM

Lots of players shed pounds in the offseason, rememberthecoop.

I think Smoltz is coming back but I'm betting he'll be in the bullpen. That's fine with me...throw in Moylan, Soriano and Gonzalez and the Braves have the best bullpen in the NL east.

Posted by: scottandwtb | November 20, 2008 at 07:51 PM

I'd imagine McCann is losing weight because he's always been pretty chubby and he's probably working out harder than he has in the past. Losing the weight during the season wouldn't be an option as it would likely weaken him. During the offseason he can do the work to lose weight, while also lifting to maintain strength.

Posted by: nixa37 | November 20, 2008 at 07:58 PM

"Moylan, Soriano and Gonzalez and the Braves have the best bullpen in the NL east."

Best in all of baseball. if you include Smoltz (assuming everyone is healthy, still a huge if).

Posted by: Land-Man | November 20, 2008 at 08:20 PM

Thanks for the Health Tips!!

Posted by: pskip13 | November 20, 2008 at 08:33 PM

And I'm really sorry for the uber-stupid McCann comments

I was thinking of Johnny Estrada

Posted by: pskip13 | November 20, 2008 at 08:34 PM

And why do the Cardinals seem so intent on trading Ludwick? Do they know something the rest of us don't?

Posted by: rememberthecoop | November 20, 2008 at 07:36 PM

The Cards have a bunch of options for the OF next year, and ludwick's value will probably never be higher if they can convince someone he's a stud OF it should be worth a nice return, with the hopes of getting someone to help the pitching staff or middle infield. personally, I think this year was a career year and he can't be expected to perform like that again, but I could still see him as an above average outfielder for a few years. here's hoping I'm wrong and he does that again :)

Posted by: stlredbirds | November 20, 2008 at 09:12 PM

I hear Colorado has nice schools.

Posted by: nrmax88 | November 21, 2008 at 02:22 AM

And as a Met fan who very much enjoys having David Wright around, God Bless that Colorado board of education baby.

Posted by: nrmax88 | November 21, 2008 at 02:23 AM

McCann is the face of the Atlanta Braves, he's not a FA and he is the best hitting catcher in baseball.

Posted by: John Lee | November 21, 2008 at 07:05 PM

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Braves Rumors: Hampton, Ludwick, Burnett

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