A FEW HOT STOVE OPINIONS

Before this week's winter meetings, the Braves signed closer Billy Wagner and late reliever Takashi Saito. They also offered arbitration to last year's closers Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano. Undoubtedly the Frank Wren was not expecting either to accept the arbitration offer, which would have put the Braves in permission to receive 2 compensation draft picks for each of them when they signed with another club as free agents. To their surprise, Soriano accepted arbitration, and immediately requested a trade understanding that the Braves did not intend to use him as a closer. So Wren waived his magic wand, shed some payroll and former closer Jesse Chavez appeared in our bullpen.

All-in-all I'd grade Wren an A, with the understanding that there is still work to be done. We replaced two solid closers (thought not exactly automatics) that were going to demand a LOT of coin this off-season, with 3 former closers, one of which has hall-of-fame potential and was throwing great after coming off Tommy John surgery last year. The Braves pen sets up nice with Chavez and Moylan (who should be 100% now) in the 7th, Saito in the 8th, and Wagner closing it out. If we run into trouble, all of them have some experience closing games, so it shouldn't be a problem to find a fix. Medlen will still be available in long relief (unless he's traded). With these changes, the Braves, who had a pretty solid pitching staff last year, may have the best staff in the National League this year (Assuming Philly doesn't get Halladay in a trade!)

The work still to be done:

It's no secret the Braves are looking for a BIG right handed bat. They were doing so last year when they pursued Ken Griffey, Jr, and finally signed Garrett Anderson (ATTENTION MR. WREN: THOSE GUYS ARE BOTH LEFT HANDED AND NEITHER QUALIFIES AS A BIG BAT ANY MORE!). Right handed power is hard to find. There are really no 30+ HR Righties on the Free Agent market. But there are a few options:

1. Jermaine Dye- Former Brave, free agent pretty solid outfielder and righty bat, but he'd be a fill-in, he's probably a bit costly, and he's getting old. (still my second favorite option).

2. Miquel Cabera- Big bat, when he's on, but a big contract to go with it. It'd take a trade with the Tiger, and they probably want a lot in return. (Not a likely option).

3. Dan Uggla- my personal favorite option- 30+ HR for 4 consecutive years, right handed bat, familiar with NL east pitching, and an easy trade. Florida is looking to move him. Offer: Kelly Johnson and a second tier prospect. Make Prado your everyday 1st baseman. Uggla will play 2nd, and hit 4th against lefties, 5th against righties (behind McCann). Still need to pick up Mike Cameron or Marlon Byrd (as they've been discussing) to aid the outfield.

Picking up Uggla and Byrd, with this stacked pitching staff would make the Braves the favorite in the NL east (again assuming Philly doesn't make a deal for Halladay). If Philly does trade for Halladay, perhaps we tuck our tale, take our ball, and go home?