--C Brian McCann earned the Silver Slugger award with a .301 average, 23 home runs and 87 RBIs. After the trade of 1B Mark Teixeira, McCann hit cleanup a lot, something that isn't practical to expect in 2009 because manager Bobby Cox is careful to give him regular days off.
--RHP Jair Jurrjens finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. Jurrjens was one of the season's few bright spots as the Braves lost starter after starter, and much will be expected of him in 2009. He finished 13-10 with a 3.68 ERA in 31 starts. --RHP Tommy Hanson, the Braves organization's minor league pitcher of the year, is working on his changeup in the Arizona Fall League. He is one prospect who is strictly off limits in any trade talks.
--The Braves will open the season a day earlier than previously scheduled when they play the World Series champion Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, April 5. The game has been moved for national TV.
--Dom Chiti, 49, was hired as a special assistant to general manager Frank Wren. A left-handed pitcher originally drafted by the Braves in 1976, he has been an advance scout, a Class AAA pitching coach and a roving instructor in assignments with the Indians and Rangers.
BY THE NUMBERS: 120 -- Games the Braves expect to get out of 3B Chipper Jones in 2009.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's not our preference. Our preference is to develop from within." -- General manager Frank Wren, on acquired players via free agency.
