The Braves have traded shortstop Edgar Renteria to the Tigers for righty starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens and minor league center fielder Gorkys Hernandez. Renteria had a solid season for the Braves last year as he played in 124 games and he was 164 for 494 (.332 avg, .860 OPS) with 87 runs scored, 12 homers, 57 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. The Braves will hand over the starting shortstop job to Yunel Escobar. The 25-year old Escobar was outstanding as a rookie for the Braves as he played in 94 games and he was 104 for 319 (.326 avg, .836 OPS) with 54 runs scored, 5 homers and 28 RBIs. 21 year old righty starter Jair Jurrjens will compete for a job in the rotation in Spring Training which is a big need for the Braves. He started 7 games for the Tigers this year and he was 3-1 with a 4.70 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. In 30.2 innings with the Tigers he allowed 24 hits, walked 11 batters and whiffed 13. Jurrjens also started 19 games in AA ball and he was 7-5 with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Gorkys Hernandez is one of the better center field prospects around but the Tigers were loaded there. The 20-year old Hernandez played in 124 A games and he was 141 for 481 (.293 avg, .735 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 4 homers, 50 RBIs and 54 stolen bases.

The Braves have claimed Chris Resop off of waviers from the Angels. Resop only pitched in 4 games last season for the Angels and he was 0-0 with a 4.15 ERA. He has now pitched in 41 games in his major league career and he is 3-2 with a 5.48 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP. He has worked 42.2 innings in his major league career and he’s allowed 52 hits, walked 26 batters and whiffed 27. To make room for Resop on the roster the Braves have designated Chad Paronto for assignment. Paronto pitched pretty decent for the Braves the last two seasons. In 106 games for the Braves, Paronto was 5-4 with 1 save, a 3.34 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He threw 97 innings for the Braves and he allowed 100 hits, walked 38 batters and whiffed 55.

Andruw Jones will leave as a free agent in the end of an era for the Braves. Jones is one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball and the pitcher’s will certainly miss him patrolling the outfield behind them. Jones also put together some outstanding career numbers despite an off year in 2007. Jones played in 1,761 games for the Braves and he was 1,683 for 6,408 (.263 avg, .839 OPS) with 1,045 runs scored, 368 homers, 1,117 RBIs and 138 stolen bases. Jones served Atlanta well in his career and he should be able to rebound from his off year in 2007 for his new team.