Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 11/6

Boston Injection

Red Sox GM For The Day: What Would You Do?

"Should the Sox sign FA Brian McCann?  YES, but he will want way too much.After chiding the Red Sox Big Shots [Henry, Tom & Larry] to move toward more of a Billy Beane, Branch Rickey philosophy for almost two years, they finally got the fax at Yawkey Way and, after foolishly letting Larry play “GM” for a year and hire his pal Bobby V. to “shake-up the team,” John Henry finally gave Gentle Ben a chance to take the wheel."

AJC

Braves’ Gonzalez is finalist for NL Manager of the Year

"Oct 4, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez (33) makes a pitching changes against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning of game two of the National League divisional series playoff baseball game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY SportsThe Braves’ Fredi Gonzalez is among three finalists for the National League Manager of the Year award, along with the Pirates’ Clint Hurdle and Dodgers’ Don Mattingly. The winner will be announced Tuesday.The Braves were shut out of the other three NL awards – MVP, Rookie of the Year, Cy Young Award – when finalists were named Tuesday for the four Baseball Writers’ Association of America awards in each league. Many believed that Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman might be an MVP finalist and closer Craig Kimbrel might crack the top three for Cy Young.The Braves have improved in each of the Gonzalez’s three seasons as manager, going from 89 wins in 2011 to 94 wins and a Wild Card berth in 2012, and 96 wins and the NL East title in 2013. It was the first division title since 2005 for the Braves, who lost to the Dodgers in the division series."

Sports World Report

Atlanta Braves Rumors: Bartolo Colon an Option if Tim Hudson Walks Away?

"The Atlanta Braves needed a veteran pitcher in their rotation and as the Oakland Athletics have parted ways with Bartolo Colon, should the team go after the 40-year-old right hander? Here’s a reason why the numbers say the Braves should consider the acquisition.The first thing Braves fans might remember is the 2012 PED’s allegation that saw Colon serve a 50-game suspension. How would fans or the organization expect to believe Colon is stillclean?Well, as MLB Trade Rumors points out, Colon had no trouble proving he was clean in 2013 and he had a solid season. He was efficient, winning 18 games, pitching 190 innings and though his fastball has diminished, Colon has excellent control, only walking 29 batters. All of these numbers mounted to a 2.65 ERA his lowest since 2002 when he pitched for the Cleveland Indians and Montreal Expos.With that being said, 2002 was the last time Colon pitched in the National League. Since then, he has gone on to win a Cy Young award (2005) with the Los Angeles Angels and bounced around the majors, playing for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees before landing in Oakland.Yes, he is turning 41 in 2014, but the Braves are seeking to resign Tim Hudson, who is close to 40 and has had his share of troubles throughout the last few seasons. Who knows what Hudson will give the Braves if they resign the veteran? He is coming off a devastating ankle injury that ended his 2013 campaign. Colon is also experienced in the postseason, though his numbers are not quite impressive, going 2-4 with a 3.70 ERA in 10 starts."