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Playing For Peanuts: EP 4.3

BUY THE DVD - 3 discs for $24.99
PEANUTS ON ITUNES

Just a little note, a while back I recieved a copy of the DVD, and soon I'll be popping it in the DVD player. Therefore look for a review of Playing for Peanuts soon...

Joel Sherman of the New York Post is reporting that the Braves and First Baseman Casey Kotchman have come to terms on a 1 year, $2.88 million. Kotchman had asked for $3.74 million. the Braves went with $2.475 million, so it seems that they met in the middle.Here are the incentives built into his contract, according to Sherman.Kotchman also can make an additional $25,000 by reaching each plate appearance total of 575, 600, 625 and 650. In addition, Kotchman can make $50,000 for winning the MVP, being an All-Star, earning the Gold Glove or bring the World Series MVP. He can take home $25,000 for winning the Silver Slugger or the LCS MVP.He could make a lot of money if he has a bang up season, I still don't think he's going to display a lot of power - but he's going to be solid around the bag with the... Read more

Playing For Peanuts: EP 4.2 BUY THE DVD - 3 discs for $24.99 PEANUTS ON ITUNES... Read more

According to Mark Bowman, Braves beat writer for MLB.com. The deal is for 1 year at $3.45 million. He's slated to be the closer this year, after returning mid season following Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. Of course the Braves avoid arbitration by getting this deal done. There are three Braves left who have filed.Casey KotchmanJeff FrancoeurKelly JohnsonI'd expect deals to get these guys signed done pretty soon, unless Frenchy pitches some sort of fit or something.... Read more

According to MLB.com Mariners beat writer Jim Street the Seattle Mariners and Felix Hernandez have agreed to a 1 year deal worth a reported $3.8 million. Felix led all M's pitchers last season in ERA, Wins, Starts, Innings and K's. If you remember last season Felix's contract was automatically renewed at $540,000. With this contract agreement the M's avoid arbitration, they now have two players left do deal with. Erik Bedard, and recently acquired Aaron Heilman.... Read more

Now there's been a lot of talk about Andruw Jones and a slight possibility he could return to the Atlanta Braves since the Dodgers have cut ties with the declining center fielder. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Braves would only have to pick up $400,000 of the $21 million owed to Jones.10. Andruw Jones, OF, free agent: Released by the Dodgers, the 10-time Gold Glove winner may get a chance to play with his old team again. The Braves would have to assume only $400,000 of the more than $21 million the Dodgers are paying him. Those who have been around Jones say he's stubbornly unwilling to change obvious trouble spots in his swing. "He could still come back," said former Dodgers hitting coach Mike Easler. "He's got some problems with his swing that we were starting to iron out."Honestly I don't think the Braves need... Read more

This is good news as I was personally afraid that Diaz would get a pink slip and be non-tendered. He's a great bat off the bench and in a platoon role - though he's not really suited to play everyday in left field, but that's fine.This comes from Troy Rencik of the Denver Post.[Snip] He's been a supreme bench player for the Braves, high profile enough to land ESPN work this past postseason. Diaz agreed to a one year, $1.2375 million contract with Atlanta. He can make an additional $50,000 if he reaches 600 plate appearances.He's found his place on the Braves lineup and that's a good thing. Lefty masher, who at times has shown that he can handle right handers as well.... Read more

This according to D.O.B. :Just filed story for paper and online, should be up soon. Deal is done, pending physical. Kawakami is flying him for physical Monday, press conference likely not until Tuesday or Wednesday morning.The Braves were on him from the start, just have to wait for the physical to seal the deal. Now if they could get Derek Lowe signed on the dotted line - I think that would put up one heck of a rotation.... Read more

Playing For Peanuts: EP 4.1 BUY THE DVD - 3 discs for $24.99 PEANUTS ON ITUNES... Read more

Apparently according to beat writer Mark Bowman.A Major League source who was in contact with Smoltz on Wednesday night said the 41-year-old right-hander will be calling the Braves on Thursday morning to tell them that he has decided to sign with the Red Sox.I'm not sure exactly what to say about this at the moment.... Read more

According to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, knuckleballer RA Dickey has chosen to sign with the Minnesota Twins. Now if you recall last year, Dickey signed a free agent deal with the Twins only for the Mariners to snag him in the Rule 5 draft before even so much as putting on a Minnesota Twins uniform.Here's what Dickey had to say:"They seemed to be the team that had the most interest in me," Dickey said on Wednesday. "Not only that, they also seemed to have a real plan for how they want to use me. More than the other teams."Baker goes on to say that the plan is to have Dickey work out of the 'pen and maybe even collect some spot starts down the road for the Twins. Kinda sounds like what Dickey did last year for the M's. Honestly this move doesn't move me either way, though... Read more