Are they going to trade for Papelbon next?

Ramon Ramirez is available. Granted, it's the wrong one.

One year deals for relievers are good.

Saito, like Wagner, used to be really good, got hurt, came back, is ancient, but still a very good pitcher. I don't quite understand why his value is so different than Wagner's.

I don't think too many teams would be unhappy with Saito at that amount.

That's nice work by the Braves. Saito seemed content to be a secondary closer with the Sox last year and he gives them a nice option on days Wagner can't go. I thought he looked better as the season went on too.

With Saito and Billy Wagner, who signed on Wednesday, the Braves have rebuilt the back end of their bullpen with two pitchers who combined for 73 saves in 2007.

They should have signed John Smoltz. He and Wagner combined for 90 saves in 2002.

Last year the Braves paid Soriano (RH) 6.5 mil, give or take. They paid Mike Gonzalez (LH) 3.3 or so. They just replaced both of them for essentially identical shared salaries.

They should have signed John Smoltz. He and Wagner combined for 90 saves in 2002.

And combined with Mike Williams, that is 136 saves in 2002. And Mike Williams is very available.

They should have signed John Smoltz. He and Wagner combined for 90 saves in 2002.

Sure, Eric Gagne would listen if the Braves called.

Saito + Wagner < Gonzalez + Soriano but this is a very nice move for the Braves. The picks for Soriano and Gonzalez are going to be helpful as well. Good start to the offseason for Braves.

With Bernard Madoff and Allen Stanford, who signed on Wednesday, the Braves have rebuilt their ownership group with two men who were worth a combined $5 billion in 2007.

Was Saito offered arbitration?

Saito wasn't a type A or B.

Really smart to sign the non type A or type B bullpen guys to replace Type A or B bullpen guys. They cost about the same as they paid for similar guys last year and get the draft picks too. If Saito and Wagner turn into pumpkins, I reserve the right to alter my opinion, but right now I really like this for the Braves. I wish the Angels had gone after Saito for that AAV for even two years if they had to - call it Fuentes/Jepsen insurance.

Frank Wren has been pretty solid in Atlanta.

Now it's time for the offense.

Rumors say that the Braves are in on Mike Cameron. That would vastly improve the OF defense with McLouth moving to LF. I'm assuming Schafer would be trade bait in a package for a 1B, which I'm not crazy about because you're selling low and I believe Schafer's floor is a plus defender in CF who has enough secondary skills to be league-average with the bat.

Hypothetically though, a Jurrjens/Schafer package gets the Pads attention for AGon.

A McLouth/Cameron/Heyward OF is miles better (offensively and defensively) than the Anderson/McLouth/Francoeur/Diaz/Church monstrosity of last season.

What was his contract status with the Red Sox? Was it a team option for a second year? A straight-up one year deal?

At $3 million, I like this signing for Atlanta. Shoot, for $3 million, I'd keep him in Boston...

#11- Nice

He had an option for something like $6 mil with Boston. At $3 mil, he seems like a pretty good deal (that was the base of his contract last year). I'm not sure why the Red Sox were a) so intent on having him pitch mop-up and b) didn't want him back on a cheap deal this year.

The numbers for this deal are a little bigger than discussed here. It's 3.2 mil guaranteed and another 2+ mil tied to performance incentives - mostly games finished.

The numbers for this deal are a little bigger than discussed here. It's 3.2 mil guaranteed and another 2+ mil tied to performance incentives - mostly games finished.

Saito is thinking there's a chance Wagner gets hurt and this is a way for him to be a closer again. The Braves are probably thinking along the same path.

I could be wrong, but based on BBRef.com, in 2009 Saito:

--pitched on back-to-back days 3 times
--pitched more than 1 inning just 6 times (never more than 2 IP)
--pitched 3 games in 4 days 3 times
--never threw 3 days in a row

The Red Sox were very clearly trying to not have his arm blow up on them. While he was effective, they couldn't really lean on him for a big role because they couldn't really pitch him back-to-back or 3 times in 4 days, and these days you need your effective bullpen guys to be able to do these things. For $3 million, sure, he's a flier that's worth taking, but he not a backup closer candidate should Wagner implode... Or rather, I would suggest getting a backup-backup plan if Saito is your backup plan.

Good points, TE.

the Braves have rebuilt the back end of their bullpen with two pitchers who combined for 73 saves in 2007.

And of course nothing has happened to them since 2007.

Fragile relievers who really shouldn't pitch consecutive days and Bobby Cox. Oil meet water.

This reminds me a little bit of the Red Sox foraging the junkyard for starting pitchers last year. And that turned out extremely poorly...