David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to Braves GM Frank Wren yesterday. Hot stove highlights:
- Wren considers the Braves' biggest needs to be the bullpen and the offense.
- O'Brien is certain the Braves won't try to re-sign both Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. O'Brien explains why it's in the Braves' best interest to stay tight-lipped about possible arbitration offers for any Type A or B free agents (Soriano and Gonzalez both project as Type As).
- O'Brien guesses the Braves will try to work out a multiyear extension with Tim Hudson at less than $10MM per year. Decisions on Hudson's $12MM mutual option within five days of the conclusion of the World Series.
- Wren implied Martin Prado will enter Spring Training as the Braves' starting second baseman. We talked earlier this month about Kelly Johnson as a trade candidate.
- As you learned from Baseball America's Matt Eddy a week ago, righties Jorge Campillo, Buddy Carlyle, and Vladimir Nunez were granted free agency. Wren says the Braves still need to make decisions on whether to attempt to re-sign any of them.
