The Braves have dealt 27-year old righty reliever Jairo Asencio to the Indians for cash considerations. Asencio pitched in 6 games (0 starts) for the Braves last year and he was 0-0 with a 6.97 ERA and a 2.03 WHIP. He pitched in 9 games (0 starts) in his two years with the Braves and he was 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP. It was good that the Braves got something for Asencio, as he wasn’t likely going to make the team.

The Braves have acquired 25-year old lefty swinging 1B/OF Christian Marrero from the White Sox for cash considerations. Marrero played in 115 games in AA-ball last year and he was 123 of 420 (.293 avg, .861 OPS) with 70 runs scored, 12 homers, 59 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. He has now played in 644 games in his first six years in the minors and he is 657 of 2,310 (.284 avg, .813 OPS) with 318 runs scored, 62 homers, 348 RBIs and 40 stolen bases. Marrero will likely start the 2012 season in AAA-ball for the Braves, but he might help them at some point in the year.

The Braves have acquired 27-year old righty swinging infielder Greg Paiml from the White Sox for cash considerations. Paiml played in 108 games in AA-ball for the White Sox last year and he was 78 of 360 (.217 avg, .572 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 2 homers, 32 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. He has now played in 535 games in his first five years in the minors and he is 464 of 1,870 (.248 avg, .644 OPS) with 220 runs scored, 14 homers, 176 RBIs and 54 stolen bases. Paiml’s best position defensively is shortstop, but he can also handle playing 2B and 3B. The Braves needed more infield depth in the organization, so this deal makes sense for them.

The Braves have lost 26-year old righty swinging shortstop Brandon Hicks on waivers to the Oakland A’s. Hicks played in 17 games for the Braves last year and he was 1 for 21 (.048 avg, .139 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. He played in 33 games in his two years with the Braves and he was 1 for 26 (.038 avg, .146 OPS) with 8 runs scored and 1 RBI. This is no loss for the Braves as Hicks had fallen out of their plans for the future.

The Braves have signed 34-year old righty reliever Buddy Carlyle to a minor league deal. He pitched in 8 games (0 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. He pitched with the Braves from 2007-09 in which he pitched in 83 games (20 starts) and he was 10-8 with a 5.09 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Carlyle has now pitched in 112 games (27 starts) in his first seven years in the majors and he is 11-12 with a 5.58 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. He is going to have a hard time winning a job in the Braves’ bullpen this spring.