Mike Gonzalez News

As expected, the early portion of the free-agent season has proven to be rather quiet for the Braves and most every other Major League club.

It seems that every winter, the Red Sox always have plenty to talk about with agent Scott Boras.

Besides potential replacements at first base and closer, the Braves want to improve their offense this offseason, preferably with a power hitter.

"Much happier," the Yankees ' ace lefty wrote in a text message yesterday after Kansas City's Zach Greinke was named this year's AL Cy Young winner.

Red Sox asked the Braves for Medical Records on.. - Red Sox asked the Braves for Medical Records on.. Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano According to the New York Post, the Red Sox have asked the Atlanta Braves for medical records on their two top free agent relievers, Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano, who shared closing duties last season.

Topping the to-do list: With about $15 million to spend, and a lot of holes -- but if we're being specific, they need help hitting and pitching.

The 2009 season is in the books, and it was one of, if not the, most frustrating seasons I can remember for the Braves.

As the Braves and other teams explore trade and free-agent possibilities, many wrestle with a situation prevalent in baseball's changed economic landscape.

Looking to improve from this past season, the Nationals have expressed interest in reliever Mike Gonzalez and infielder/outfielder Mark DeRosa, according to two baseball sources.

Is Mike Morse being considered for any Major League role in 2010? He was as impressive as any player on the team.

The Braves always appear to be a team that is looking for a player to close out tight games.

When baseball's general managers begin to gather Sunday night for their annual meetings, they'll be at a Chicago airport hotel and not a typically swank resort.

Former Braves pitcher John Smoltz and four members of last year's squad were among 79 players who filed for free agency Thursday, the first possible day.

With the World Series coming to a close on Wednesday, yesterday marked the first day players with six or more years of major league service could file for free agency.

The Braves signed veteran reliever Scott Proctor to a one-year contract on Wednesday, according to his agent.

As Braves general manager Frank Wren prepares for the 2010 season, he finds himself dealing with the surplus created by last year's successful rotation-reconstruction process and facing the reality that he may need to find a new closer.

There's a lot of focus for the Braves this winter on shoring up the offense with a big-time, middle-of-the-order power bat, and rightfully so.

Got a chance to sit down with Bobby Cox in his office and talk Braves baseball last week.

We've got some Junior Wells wailing on the stereo, Dodgers-Cardinals muted on the TV,A door to the patio open and a nice Punch cigar burning.

Who among them will be back with Braves? Story continues below Two everyday players, both closers and a valuable cog to the rotation.