It may be the dead of winter (well, cold weather days anyway), but baseball never disappoints. You just have to look a little harder during these days. There were several tid bits involving the Braves in some indirect ways today, and this is to help you recap.
↵The Nationals are pursuing Derrek Lee. The former Braves first baseman's market value has taken a big hit due to other options available and the fact that Lee is not the hitter he once was. Lee is Washington's top target after news that Adam LaRoche could be close to signing with the Orioles.
↵Grant at SB Nation's McCovey Chronicles posted a great piece in response to the responses involving Edgar Renteria and his complaining about the Giants' $1 million offer as a sign of disrespect. As Grant writes, it is easy to see both ways on this. Naturally, as a fan, you look at it like someone passing up a million bucks to play a kid's game is selfish and egotistical. But you also must look at it through the eyes of the player. It is a business, and the market is set. It is not the player's fault that a million dollars is considered a slap in the face to some of them. It can be difficult to see the player's side on these things because most of us have no concept of it, though.
↵Bluelineswinger at SB Nation's Federal Baseball writes some great stuff on the pros and cons of pursuing several starting pitchers, including Zack Greinke, Matt Garza and Carl Pavano. By all reports, the Nationals are still on the hunt for a legit starter to front the rotation. With this comes the news of Greinke asking for a trade. The only way this could possibly affect the Braves is if he winds up in Washington, because he is certainly not coming to Atlanta. But a deal to the Nationals should probably be considered a long shot at this point.
↵Also, the Nationals made some minor moves the last couple days. Chien-Ming Wang re-signed for a million with incentives that could push it to $5 million. They signed Chad Gaudin to a minor deal with an invite to Spring Training.
↵The Brewers signed Carlos Gomez to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, avoiding arbitration. Thus, the market options for the Braves outfielder hunt continue to dwindle, and it looks more likely that the fourth outfielder will come within the organization.
↵Consider this a shortened version of things to come regarding link roundups. Look for Braves prospect reports to begin next week.