Former Braves outfielder Gary Sheffield was traded to the Detroit Tigers late Friday afternoon for a trio of young pitchers. Detroit also signed Sheffield to a contract extension. This may impact a potential trading partner of the Braves, as the Tigers have now shipped off several pitching prospects, which makes them possibly less inclined to deal one of their other big name starters or prospects.
Another former Braves player, right-handed pitcher Jaret Wright, was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for reliever Chris Britton. Wright is now reunited with former Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone, who ushered Wright to a career best year in 2004 - which he parlayed into a three year deal with New York. Injuries combined with general ineffectiveness plagued Wright in his two year stint with the Yankees. It will be interesting to see if Leo can straighten him out again.
The annual General Managers meetings begin today in Naples Florida where John Schuerholz might have some hot stove action cooking:
As there usually is, I'm sure there will not be too many rumors spinning out of the Atlanta front office - they are notoriously tight lipped. But there will probably be plenty of rumors to report on that are circulating in the lobby of the hotel. I'll post them when I hear about them, and if any of you hear anything quasi-substantial post that as well.