--RHP Javier Vazquez was acquired from the White Sox, along with LHP Boone Logan, for four minor league players: SS Brent Lillibridge, C Tyler Flowers, LHP Santos Rodriguez and 3B John Gilmore.
--C Dave Ross is reportedly close to signing a two-year deal to back up C Brian McCann. Ross's .231 average in 134 at-bats with the Reds and .125 in eight at-bats with the Red Sox doesn't look too impressive until one considers the combined batting average of McCann's backups, Corky Miller and Clint Sammons, in 2008: .114. --General manager Frank Wren is still in the market for a right-handed-hitting outfielder, which is why the Cardinals' Ryan Ludwick keeps being mentioned.
--Braves sponsorship might take a hit now that DHL is pulling out of the U.S. market. Nevertheless, general manager Frank Wren's budget has room for a good if not overpowering offer to RHP A.J, Burnett.
--LHP Mike Hampton, whom the Braves were hoping to retain with an incentive-laden contract, signed with the Astros instead. Both Hampton and the Braves called Atlanta's offer "competitive," but Hampton's kids like Houston, so that's where he went.
BY THE NUMBERS: 200 -- Number of innings and strikeouts the Braves think they can get from newly acquired RHP Javier Vazquez.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "If we did nothing, I think our offense, if we had good pitching, would be OK. It wouldn't be in the top of the league, but it would put us in games." --General manager Frank Wren, assessing the team as it stood the day the season ended.
