Chopping Network: Anderson, Norton placed on waivers

August 17, 2009- Atlanta GA

The Atlanta Braves announced today that they were placing veterans Garrett Anderson and Greg Norton on irrevocable waivers to make room on their active roster for Gwinnett Braves OF Brandon Jones and 1B/OF Josh Phelps.

Both Anderson (0 HR, .211) and Norton (1 HR, .243) have been unhappy in their bench roles with the Braves and earlier this year asked to be traded.

"We had them on the trading block, but were not

able to work out deals for them," said Braves GM Jobo Foster. "By waiving them at this time, it gives them an opprotunity to be picked up or sign with some other club where there may be an opening for them. Plus, we've been wanting to get Jones back up here after his earlier stint with us. And Phelps deserves a shot at some major league pinch hitting."

Jones hit 2HR and .281 in 28 games earlier in the season with Atlanta. Phelps was used mostly as a DH in AAA, slapping 20 HR, 89 RBI and a .265 avg in 104 games.

Norton (pictured lower right) had lost his 1B platoon with Casey Kotchman a few weeks back as Kotchman, a LH batter, was hitting lefthanders much better than the right handed hitting Norton.

But, probably the most disappointed player on the Braves roster had to be Anderson, who signed as a free agent with the Braves in the off season. He was expected to be the starting LF for Atlanta from opening day. But, his mediocre spring training, the acquisition of Nate McLouth from Pittsburgh, the steady performance of rookie Jordan Schafer, and the resurgence of Jeff Francoeur's bat left no room for Anderson in the Braves' starting lineup.

"This is not the way we wish it had worked out for Garrett and Greg here in Atlanta," said Foster. "They're both class acts and still good ball players."

Braves send Vazquez to Texas for Gonzalez, Main

Monday, June 28th, 2010 - The Texas Rangers traded 32-year-old reliever Mike Gonzalez and 21-year-old minor league starting pitcher Michael Main (pictured above) to the Atlanta Braves, getting 33-year-old starting pitcher Javier Vazquez in return. Braves GM Jobo Foster said the trade was made to bloster the bullpen with the reaquisition of Gonzalez, to make some financial room and to open a spot in the rotation for southpaw Aaron Poreda who, Foster says, has earned a shot with Atlanta. It is rumored that veteran starting pitcher Tim Hudson may be on his way out of the rotation if his performance does not show marked improvement.