Chopping Network: Braves deal again and again, Get Nathan

February 1, 2010

According to unofficial word from sources in Atlanta, the Braves have made two more trades and in the process obtained the premier closer in GABA for the 2009 season.

The Minnesota Twins have dealt their ace closer, 35 year old Joe Nathan to Atlanta in exchange for the Braves' closer for '09, 30 year old Rafael Soriano.

Agreed to, almost simultaneously, was yet another deal with the White Sox, in which the Braves send starting first baseman Casey Kotchman and fifth starter in the rotation Kenshin Kawakami to Chicago for 20 year old, class A prospect, outfielder Jose Martinez and 33 year old, right handed

middle reliever Scott Linebrink.

Our sources say that this Chicago deal was done, not only to make financial room to pick up Nathan, but also to acquire highly regarded Martinez, that some scouts are touting as another superstar type player.

More is to come on this story as our information is confirmed.

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.