So, we have more information on this year’s FanFest, only it’s totally different than the past two years have been. It seems the Braves don’t seem to realize that we’re in a recession and no one is spending that much these days. But nonetheless, the ticket information that is given when navigating through the main AutographFest page on the Braves official site is as follows:

Since last week and this week, presumably, will be the slowest two weeks in baseball, let’s try to think of ways to keep reminding ourselves that baseball season is only around the corner—as in almost a month and a half away—even if it is only the day that pitchers and catchers report. But that’s the beginning day for Spring Training for most teams, so we’ll just use that date to keep looking forward to. Between then and now, let’s hope we can wrangle up a starting pitcher, preferably an ace or close to it, and a power-hitting outfielder relatively easily, or just at all.

This blog has a forum for Braves baseball now. Please join the discussion.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the first edition of: “The Launching Pad: Official Book Club”.  I’m going to try and keep this segment going for at least the course of the next baseball season.  That way, the time involved in making this logo will pay for itself.  Speaking of which, here it is:

I have made up another survey for visitors to fill out. It shouldn’t take more than five to seven minutes. Please, if you find the time to fill it out, all feedback on this is appreciated. Thanks.

Braves announce 2009 minor-league coaching staff | ajc.com

I would just like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Hope everyone has a great holiday and eat lots of food!

Chipper Jones Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com

Mac has decided to participate in the World Baseball Classic on the USA team along with Chipper March 5-23. I’m going to miss Mac in Spring Training, but I think Mac usually doesn’t take Spring Training as more than a warm-up for the season anyway. I believe he’s said he doesn’t really care if he does well or not stats-wise.

Casey Kotchman Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com

During the course of this off season, the Braves have gone through plenty of near hits, but those all turned out to be misses within a short time. Sure, we traded for Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan and even signed back-up catcher David Ross. But could you really blame all of the misses on Frank Wren? I don’t think you can. He is just catching the bad end of these situations that seem to keep occuring this dismal off seaon. Take the following in consideration for those of you wanting Frank Wren’s head:

Furcal says no to Braves, returns to Dodgers | ajc.com

Furcal acquisition could trigger trade for pitcher | ajc.com

It was reported this morning on FOXSports.com that free agent Rafael Furcal could be returning to Atlanta, with a contract expected to be signed today. Furcal supposedly had turned down a deal from Oakland, for $40 million over a 4 years period:

Dave Ross Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com

Brian McCann Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com

Today is the fourth and final day of the Winter Meetings. Sorry for the lack of updates yesterday, studying for finals and finishing up work before the quarter ends is definitely draining. Nothing has seemed to pan out much for the Braves so far during the Meetings, so maybe today will be the turning point.

If the Yankees go out and buy all the free agents, it will backfire. That’s what happened in the eighties and it will happen again. You don’t build a winning team by bringing in a whole lot of veterans on the decline. They might win in 2009, but it will fall apart sooner rather than later.

Two days down, two to go. If anything is sure to happen during this week, these next two days are probably when it’ll happen. Let’s see what rumors today brings us in Braves Nation.

Day One was filled with the usual rumors and speculation that most teams have swirling around them. Let’s see if today is more eventful on the Braves side with Day Two.

I don’t really have anything much to say. I am happy enough with the Vazquez trade and not at all happy with giving two years to a backup catcher.