ajc: O’Brien: Eating, observing, waiting for Peavy deal (RR)

Tom waits for no one…but O’Brien is willing to.

The consensus among folks I talk to is that the Braves have been and still are the favorites to land the Alabama native and 2007 Cy Young Award winner, though it will likely cost them shortstop Yunel Escobar and a package of a few other prospects including at least two pitchers not named Tommy Hanson (Braves aren’t trading Hanson, period.)

While I’m thinking about it, let me reiterate a few things I’ve heard in the past couple days: 1. The Braves will NOT trade both Escobar and Kelly Johnson this offseason, though that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t trade one. 2. Braves might have gotten a casual inquiry or two about Jeff Francoeur, but they have not, repeat not, so far talked trade with any team about the right fielder. So don’t believe those rumors. Sure, that could change, but so far there’s been nothing doing on that front, and it sounds like Braves fully expect to have Francoeur in RF when the 2009 season begins.3. The Braves met with Mike Hampton’s agent Tuesday, and both sides understand Hampton will see what else is out there but would like to come back to Atlanta if he doesn’t get as good or better offer from a team closer to his kids in Arizona…