The Atlanta Braves avoided arbitration with closer Mike Gonzalez, agreeing Monday to a $3. 

The Atlanta Braves avoided arbitration with closer Mike Gonzalez, agreeing Monday to a $3. 

In addition to Cy Maddux, Cy Glavine and Cy Smoltz for the Braves, there was Cy Mazzone, the pitching coach who helped push those other Cys into the city limits of Cooperstown. 

How about the socks? They OK? 

Every press conference the Braves have ever called has been held in the auxiliary clubhouse. 

--OF Matt Diaz avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1,237,500 deal. 

Despite the disappointing season, manager Bobby Cox is looking toward 2009 with rose-colored glasses. 

Every press conference the Braves have ever called has been held in the auxiliary clubhouse. 

--OF Matt Diaz avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1,237,500 deal. 

Despite the disappointing season, manager Bobby Cox is looking toward 2009 with rose-colored glasses. 

Veteran catcher Jason Varitek met with Boston Red Sox owner John Henry outside Atlanta on Friday in an apparent attempt to resolve the stalemate on a new contract, a newspaper reported. 

Veteran catcher Jason Varitek met with Boston Red Sox owner John Henry outside Atlanta on Friday in an apparent attempt to resolve the stalemate on a new contract, a newspaper reported. 

Veteran catcher Jason Varitek met with Boston Red Sox owner John Henry outside Atlanta on Friday in an apparent attempt to resolve the stalemate on a new contract, a newspaper reported. 

Andruw Jones is there if they want him, but the Braves haven't decided if they want him enough to make any significant commitment to the former Atlanta center fielder. 

The first impression: Derek Lowe seems like a laid-back fella you'd want to watch a ballgame with, not a pitcher you expect to see put a team on his back.