The GM's Almanac...Nov. 9

The Atlanta Braves 14-year run as National League East division champions came to an end last season. General manager John Schuerholz tries to get it going again and may have several attractive players to trade.

Andruw Jones tops the list but that would have to be a mega-trade. The Braves also have pitching that could be of interest to the Rangers.

The Braves owe Tim Hudson $32 million over the past three years but he struggled last year, going 13-12 with a 4.86 ERA. He is 39-27 with a 4.01 ERA over the past three seasons after going 69-31 with a 3.26 ERA in his first four full seasons with the Athletics. He averaged 228 innings per season in 2000-2003 but just under 200 per season in 2004-2006.

The Braves are certainly entertaining offers for him, although it would again likely to be a major trade. But there is a potential No. 1 starter sitting out there for a team bold enough to make a step-out move.

Horacio Ramirez could be of more interest to the Rangers, a 2007 version of Vicente Padilla. Remember the Braves are looking for middle relief and the Rangers have plenty of that.

Ramirez has spent four seasons in the Majors, two good and two bad. He was 12-4 with a 4.00 ERA in 1821/3 innings as a rookie in 2003 but dropped to 2-4 with a 2.39 ERA in just ten games in 2004 while going on the disabled list twice with shoulder tendonitis.

Ramirez came back to go 11-9 with a 4.63 ERA in 2021/3 innings in 2005, then fell back again in 2006. This time he was 5-5 with a 4.48 ERA in 14 starts as he had both a hamstring and middle finger injury.

He is left-handed and he turns 27 in two weeks. He is arbitration-eligible and made $2.2 million in 2006.

The Braves need setup relief.

They and the Rangers should have something to talk about.