Braves News World

Since the best-selling book about Billy Beane was titled “Moneyball” I think John Schuerholz’s forthcoming book ought to be called “No Money Ball"! Today Warner Books (big surprise there) acquired the rights to a book to be authored by the Braves GM. The book will be co-written by best-selling sports writer Larry Guest and will be published in hardcover at a date to be determined.

The book will cover the successful executive’s career, baseball philosophy, and views on management. Stories about baseball inner dealings and player insights will also comprise a good portion of the book.

The Braves signed veteran reliever Jay Powell to a minor league contract on Thursday. He will report to the Mississippi Braves on a rehab assignment after participating in extended spring training. Powell posted
a 3.38 ERA in 23 games with the Rangers last year before undergoing Tommy John surgery on his injured right arm.

The fact that Powell is a Mississippi native and resident played no small role in the Braves’ ability to make yet another cost-effective signing. Expect him to be ready to contribute at the major league level as soon as the all-star break.

The Braves signed Kevin Gryboski to a one-year contract worth $877,500 on Thursday, a $500,000 increase from last season. The signing enabled the Braves to avoid going through the arbitration process with any of its players this year. The agreed-upon figure was pretty much halfway between the $975,000 amount Gryboski was seeking through arbitration and the $780,000 offer the Braves had submitted.

With arbitration worries out of the way, the Braves will presumably now set their sights on signing Tim Hudson to an extension. Hudson has set a March 1st deadline to come to such an agreement.