It's never a quiet deadline for the Atlanta Braves. Even when they're supposed to be standing pat, they're still putting out feelers all over baseball. It's not coincidence then that they are, and will be linked to a lot of players over the next few days. Here is the first of what could be many:
The Braves are trying to add one more reliever. They are one of the many clubs that inquired on A's right-hander Michael Wuertz, but are in heavier pursuit of a more under-the-radar, unidentified option, according to major-league sources.
Wuertz is an above-average reliever for Oakland who strikes people out and limits walks. He is also a former Cubs reliever -- we've had good luck with Cubs relievers. Wuertz is still under team control for another year, and makes just over a million this year -- making him readily affordable for Atlanta. Here are his stats with Oakland this season:
This would be a solid acquisition for Atlanta, and would definitely strengthen the Braves pen -- giving Bobby Cox another setup man to pair with Peter Moylan and/or Mike Gonzalez.