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OFFSEASON PLAYER MOVEMENT

Players signed	Players lost
C Javy Lopez (option picked up)	LHP Mike Remlinger (free agent)
RHP Darren Holmes (re-signed)	C Steve Torrealba (free agent)
	LHP Tom Glavine (free agent)
Acquired via trade	Players traded
LHP Mike Hampton (Marlins)	RHP Tim Spooneybarger, RHP Ryan Baker

Complete Player Movement

Focus on Maddux


	Maddux has a 2.83 career ERA and 273 wins.

The Braves offered Greg Maddux arbitration Dec. 7. While agent Scott Boras may do what he did with Barry Bonds last year and accept it, sources say the Braves aren't concerned that Boras probably would seek the highest one-year contract for a pitcher in baseball history for Maddux. If Boras tries to leverage it into a multiyear contract, the Braves would talk about a three-year deal if the numbers are right. If not, they'll take their chances on a one-year deal. Boras said he had been talking with seven or eight teams about Maddux.

Schwarz: From performer to mentor

Gammons: Diamond notes

Glavine joins the enemy


	Glavine was 242-143 with a 3.37 ERA as a Brave.

The Braves turned to damage control Dec. 6, saying they made every effort to re-sign Tom Glavine and insisting they will still have a championship-quality team in 2003. In a rare move, general manager John Schuerholz and team president Stan Kasten went step-by-step through the negotiations with the two-time Cy Young Award winner, who reached agreement with the Mets on a three-year, $35 million contract Dec. 5 -- a deal with an option for a fourth year, worth potentially $42.5 million. "We have great respect and great admiration for this man," said Schuerholz. "We tried to treat him that way." The Phillies also offered a three-year deal with an option year, something that was important to Glavine. The Braves would not go beyond three seasons.

Stark: Leaving Atlanta | Fantasy spin

Neyer: Glavine, Thome threaten Braves' reign

Remlinger joins Cubs


	Remlinger

Left-handed reliever Mike Remlinger and the Cubs agreed Dec. 3 to a $10.65 million, three-year contract. He was 7-3 with a 1.99 ERA in 73 games with the Braves last season, his fourth year with Atlanta. He came up to the major leagues with the Giants in 1991 when new Cubs manager Dusty Baker was San Francisco's hitting coach. "I've known Dusty since my first day in the big leagues, and I have great respect for him," Remlinger said Dec. 2. "That's something that added to my interest."

NL East: Five key questions

Shaking up the roster?
A flurry of moves could come from the Braves, whose infield is particularly unsettled, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. "We know (Rafael) Furcal is going to be a shortstop, put it that way," GM John Schuerholz said, meaning no other infield job was firm. "We're trying to accumulate players at this point. We're not (setting the lineup) yet." Schuerholz wouldn't rule out anything, not even such a seemingly remote possibility as the return of free-agent first baseman Fred McGriff. The Braves could move left fielder Chipper Jones back to third and trade Vinny Castilla. Or move Jones to first and pursue an outfielder.

Brave new lefty | Happy days | Financial wizardry

Stark: Positive vibrations | Kurkjian: The particulars

NEWS AND NOTES

The Yankees are closing in on a two-year contract with LHP Chris Hammond for about $5 million, ESPN.com's Peter Gammons reported Dec. 7.
Julio Franco, Keith Lockhart and Darren Bragg were offered arbitration Dec. 7. The Braves opted not to offer arbitration to B.J. Surhoff, Dave Martinez and Albie Lopez. Although these players can't sign with the Braves until May 1, they can seek employment with any other big league team before then.
The Braves re-signed reliever Darren Holmes to a $750,000, one-year contract Dec. 6.
The Padres have been talking to the Braves about a Brett Tomko-for-Marcus Giles swap, although GM John Schuerholz told a couple of Giles suitors that he's Atlanta's second baseman, with Mark DeRosa playing third base, ESPN.com's Peter Gammons reported. That, as well as Chipper Jones' position, could change at any moment.
Chipper Jones' mood went from concern to joy after hearing that his friend LHP Mike Hampton had been traded to Florida and then to Atlanta, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Nov. 18. "It was a little shocking, because I heard he got traded to Florida, and here I am thinking I might have to face him five times next year," Jones told The Journal-Constitution. "Turns out he's gonna be a teammate of mine. He's jacked up. He's ready to turn it around. He can do us some good."
Greg Maddux on Nov. 14 won his 13th straight Gold Glove, extending his own NL record for pitchers. Maddux is now within three of the overall record, held by Jim Kaat. The free-agent right-hander has won 10 of his Gold Gloves with the Braves. OF Andruw Jones won his fifth in a row.

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Video Communication Breakdown
Braves GM John Schuerholz explains why Tom Glavine is no longer a Brave.
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Brave Beginning
Mike Hampton is looking forward to his new start with the Braves.
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"I'm unhappy Tom (Glavine) won't be on our team. I'm not unhappy with the way things worked out."
– President Stan Kasten

2002 NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
TEAM	W	L	PCT	GB
Atlanta	101	59	.631	-
Montreal	83	79	.512	19.0
Philadelphia	80	81	.497	21.5
Florida	79	83	.488	23.0
New York	75	86	.466	26.5
Complete Standings

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NEYER: THE HIGHEST HONOR

Considering the importance of a good pitching staff, and the apparent influence that a pitching coach can have on a pitching staff, don't you think there's room in the Hall for at least a couple of pitching coaches? Would it kill anybody to figure out a way to get Leo Mazzone and Johnny Sain into the Hall of Fame?

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ON THE FARM

Minor league affiliates:
Richmond Braves (AAA):
    Sched./Results | Stats | Official Site
Greenville Braves (AA):
    Sched./Results | Stats | Official Site
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A):
     Stats | Official Site
Macon Braves (A):
     Stats | Official Site
Jamestown Jammers (A):
    Official Site
Danville Braves (R)
Gulf Coast Braves (R)


AVG	C. Jones	.327
HR	A. Jones	35
RBI	C. Jones	100
RUN	R. Furcal	95
SB	R. Furcal	27
WIN	2 tied @	18
SV	J. Smoltz	55
ERA	G. Maddux	2.62
Complete Team Statistics: Batting \| Pitching


C	H. Blanco	ROTATION
1B	M. Franco	G. Maddux
2B	K. Lockhart	T. Glavine
3B	V. Castilla	K. Millwood
SS	R. Furcal	J. Marquis
LF	C. Jones	D. Moss
CF	A. Jones	CLOSER
RF	G. Sheffield	J. Smoltz

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Dec 8: Signed pitcher Darren Holmes to a one-year contract; offered salary arbitration to infielders Julio Franco, Keith Lockhart and outfielder Darren Bragg; declined to offer salary arbitration to pitcher Albie Lopez and infielder-outfielders Dave Martinez and B.J. Surhoff.
Complete Team Transactions


No significant injuries.