--RHP Peter Moylan, currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, is represented by the Wasserman Media Group, whose agent, Phil Kinzer, represented SS Rafael Furcal in the recent contract dust-up. Braves president John Schuerholz has vowed the team will never again conduct business with that firm.
--Free agent INF/OF Greg Norton signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Braves. Norton, a switch hitter, hit three pinch home runs and drove in 18 runs as a pinch hitter after being traded to the Braves on May 5. --RHP Lance Niekro, son of Joe Niekro, nephew of Phil Niekro, has signed a minor league contract with the Braves and is working on a knuckleball with his Uncle Phil. Braves C Brian McCann caught a couple of Lance's knucklers in the 2004 Arizona Fall League when Niekro was fooling around with it. This time, he's not fooling.
--RF Jeff Francoeur will be the featured speaker at Georgia Tech's annual baseball banquet in February, following the tradition of Chipper Jones, Mark Teixeira, Jason Varitek, Nomar Garciaparra and Joe Torre, among others. Francoeur vowed to change his offseason regimen after the added muscle and weight he put on last offseason altered his swing. At least he hopes that was the problem.
--The Braves announced their minor league coaching staffs for 2009 on Dec. 22, and pitching coach Derek Botelho will be joining the Class AAA Gwinnett staff after serving as Class AA Mississippi pitching coach for the past two seasons.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Pinch home runs hit by Greg Norton, which led the majors in 2008.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "If it serves our clients, we will continue to present opportunities to the Braves, which in accordance with the rules governing Major League Baseball, the Braves must entertain." -- Statement released by Arn Tellem of the Wasserman Media Group, which represents SS Rafael Furcal. Braves president John Schuerholz has proclaimed that the Braves will never do business with the firm again.
