MLB Weekly: Atlanta Braves, Cubs Trade Felix Pie, Unsigned Free Agents, & More

Atlanta Braves: The Atlanta Braves signed Derek Lowe to a 4 year, $60 million contract to anchor their rotation. Lowe will join Javier Vazquez and Kenshin Kawakami as newcomers to the Braves rotation this season, which also includes Jair Jurjens, Jorge Campillo, and Tim Hudson once he returns from injury. Atlanta had one of the better offenses(104 OPS+) in the NL last year, so if they can sustain that offense along with their improved pitching, they might be able to compete with the Mets & Phillies in the NL East. I still think a lot of things would have to go there way for them to make the playoffs though. The Braves are also considering bringing back Tom Glavine & Andruw Jones.

Unsigned Free Agents: Here are some free agents that remain unsigned at this point and there are quite a few high quality players in this group: Manny Ramirez, Bobby Abreu, Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Orlando Cabrera, Oliver Perez, Ben Sheets, Jon Garland, Juan Cruz, Garret Anderson, Ken Griffey, Jr, Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek, & Randy Wolf. Some of the older players listed may be forced to retire or go to spring training as non-roster invitees. Not sure where a lot of these guys are going to end up, but Manny, Abreu, and Dunn are definitely some big bats that would be a nice addition to any team. I also like the power arm of Juan Cruz out of the bullpen. He struck out 71 batters in 51 innings last season for the Diamondbacks.

Other MLB News:

- The Cubs dealt big time prospect Felix Pie to the Orioles for pitcher Garrett Olson. Kind of a surprising move by the Cubs because Pie has been compared to Carlos Beltran and while he has struggled in the few at-bats he's gotten at the major league level; he is still just 24 years old. Olson could be part of a deal for Jake Peavy, but I'm sure the Cubs would have to give up something up as well. I don't really like the moves the Cubs have made this offseason, but we will see how they play out and they should still be the favorites in the NL Central. One concern for the Cubs might be Rich Harden's slight rotator cuff tear.

- The White Sox signed Bartolo Colon to a 1 year deal and if he can stay healthy he will have a shot at their rotation. Judging by recent history though, Colon most likely will not make it through the entire season.

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