Buyers and Sellers - Atlanta Braves

The Braves should be in the hunt for at least a wild-card so it is tough picturing them being a seller before the trade dead-line.

If the Braves were to sell - the most likely players to be put on the block are:

- Antonio Alphonseca - some team may be desperate for a closer or for a decent set-up guy. Alphonseca will make $1.25 million this year and every nickel counts for the Braves so he may be sold no matter what happens.

- Russ Ortiz - a team who is trying for a playoff spot may trade for Ortiz who is a free agent at the end of the season. If the Braves fall out of contention - they may try to do what the Orioles did last year with Sidney "Greenstreet" Ponson. Ortiz makes $5.7 million this year and if the Braves are able to save half of that - they could use the savings to resign Ortiz in the off-season.

- Paul Byrd - about ready to come back from Tommy John surgery (almost two years ago). If healthy - Byrd has a talent level about equal to say Jeff Suppan and someone will be willing to bid for his services and $7.0 million contract (free agent at the end of the season)

- JD Drew - $4.20 - doubt the Braves would trade Drew after using their best minor league pitcher to acquire him but stranger things have happened.

- Rafael Furcal - I always thought that Furcal was overrated and you know that Furcal will be looking for a substantial raise from his $3.4 million salary this year. The Braves have Andy Marte waiting in the wings and will also have to give a big raise to Marcus Giles this off-season. Maybe Furcal gets the gate in Atlanta this year no matter where the Braves stand in the standings.

- John Smoltz - $12 million option for next year - I don't see them trading Smoltz.

Chances are greater that the Braves will be buyers in this market. Barring injury the Braves will probably be looking at upgrades at 1st, third and maybe 2nd (if Giles doesn't recover in time).

Two names I could see the Braves going after are Mike Sweeney of Kansas City and Shea Hillenbrand of the Diamondbacks. Sweeney would be a very good match at 1st for the Braves and you know that he wants to play for a winner. His contract runs through 2007 and jumps to $12.5 million per year if he is traded - so he may be too steep an investment for the Braves.

Hillenbrand was definately available until Richie Sexson went out for the season with a bum shoulder. Now Arizona may be foreced to hold onto Hillenbrand.

A name I wouldn't be surprised see added into the mix is Kevin Millar from the Red Sox. The Red Sox have a number of options at first and Millar is quickly becoming very expendable.

At third - the Braves may take a flier on Joe Randa who is in his walk year with the Royals.