Braves refuse Alex Gonzalez arbitration, may look for new shortstop

The Atlanta Braves have declined to offer salary arbitration to free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez, gambling that they can find a one-year replacement for him until their minor league solution is ready. Gonzalez, a veteran infielder, is coming off a stellar defensive year but one in which he hit just .241. He does not figure into the Braves long term plans.

Atlanta was seeking to avoid paying $3 million or more to Gonzalez simply to serve as a one-season bridge to upcoming prospect Tyler Pastornicky. Pastornicky will likely be ready to take over at shortstop for the Braves after next year.

Braves decline arbitration with Alex Gonzalez

Braves Kimbrel NL Rookie of the Year

Despite the epic collapse that was the end of the Atlanta Braves' season, rookie fireballing closer Craig Kimbrel has been named the National League 2011 Rookie of the Year. Like the rest of the Braves, Kimbrel faltered down the stretch but that didn't stop the Baseball Writers' Association of America from recognizing his outstanding rookie season.

Kimbrel finished one spot ahead of another Atlanta Braves teammate, first baseman Freddie Freeman. Kimbrel got 32 first place votes and Freeman 21. The season-long play of Kimbrel and Freeman is one of the reasons Braves' fans are optimistic about the future. 

Braves Kimbrel NL Rookie of the Year

Could Mark Cuban buy the Barves?

If Liberty Media hung a For Sale sign out front of Turner Field next month, would Mark Cuban be permitted to purchase the Braves if he was the highest bidder? Or at this point, given the way baseball has treated him in the past, would he even bother bidding for the Bravos?

Read David O'Brien's column here:

Of Braves potential sale 

Braves trade pitcher Derek Lowe

Braves pitcher Derek Lowe was booed off the mound in his last start of the season, stripped of a guaranteed spot in the rotation shortly thereafter, and ultimately traded to Cleveland, completing a tailspin to close out his tumultuous three-year stint with the Braves.

The Braves traded the 38-year-old Lowe on Monday to the Indians, who have agreed to pay $5 million of the $15 million Lowe is owed in 2012 in the final year of his contract. The Braves, who will cover the remaining $10 million, got minor league pitcher Chris Jones in return.

With the additional $5 million they cleared in this deal, the Braves are believed to have about $10 million to purse additions at shortstop and the corner outfield.

Braves' Lowe traded to Cleveland

Sporting News Names Braves Kimbrel NL Rookie of the Year

The selection of fireball closer Craig Kimbrel as the Sporting News' National League Rookie of the Year gives the Atlanta Braves hope that despite their epic collapse down the stretch in 2011 the future still looks bright.

Kimbrel broke the major league record for saves in his rookie season, ending up tied for the National League lead with 46 saves. The 23-year old had a 4-3 record with a 2.10 ERA and finished the season with a strong lead in strikeouts among relievers with 127 in his 77 innings pitched.

Sporting News Tabs Kimbrel NL Rookie of the Year

Braves bring in Dascenzo to coach speed in the minors

The Atlanta Braves hiring of Texas League manager of the year Doug Dascenzo as their minor league base running and outfielder coordinator is a clear demonstration of their new team emphasis on speed.

Dascenzo played in the major leagues as an outfielder for the Chicago Cubs, Texas and San Diego in parts of seven seasons. He also stole 30 or more bases for five straight years as a minor leaguer. He began his coaching career as a base running and outfielder coordinator in the Padres system in 1999.

The Braves have recently shifted both their major and minor league strategies to concentrate on building speed in the organization, after years of ranking toward the bottom of the league in stolen bases.

Read more:

Yahoo Sports: Braves bring in Dascenzo for organizational speed

Chipper Jones as Braves hitting coach?

The Atlanta Braves will interview Greg Walker, formerly of the White Sox, this week in the effort to fill their vacancy as hitting coach. Walker had done good work in Chicago, although he was criticized for his inability to reach prized prospect Gordon Beckham and the famous flailer Adam Dunn.  (An aside: Dunn was whiffing 190 times a year long before he met Walker.)

Greg Walker? He’d be a good hire. But there’s a guy I keep hearing touted for the job who’s already in-house, and I wanted to address that today. His name: Larry Wayne Jones Jr.

Mark Bradley: Chipper as Braves hitting coach?