Proctor Signs And Accepts Invite; Phase One of Off-Season Near Completion

BRAVES SIGN:
RP Scott Proctor

The first domino of the off-season has fallen for the Braves, and a bigger one will fall soon.

Veteran reliever Scott Proctor agreed to a split contract with the Atlanta Braves, which means that he'll receive an invite to spring training. Proctor, who was last signed by the Florida Marlins, spent the 2009 season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Proctor, who last pitched in the majors with the Dodgers, came up in the Yankees organization and has been primarily used as a middle reliever and set-up man. If he returns to form, he could fill a similar role with the Braves. It's a good signing for bullpen death assuming Proctor returns


However, the bigger news is that starting pitcher Tim Hudson passed a physical and a three-year contract extension is to be announced some time after the World Series is concluded. This essentially means that there will be a Braves starting pitcher traded at some point this off-season, whether it be Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez or Kenshin Kawakami.