Atlanta Braves

After an offseason spent dealing away several starters, the Atlanta Braves have shown no signs of immediate improvement for the 2016 season.

Spring training could be the only thing Braves fans can look forward to this year, but for now, there's a sense of optimism and promise for the future.

And now for a message to Atlanta Braves fans who are down in the dumps about the club's rebuild: Don't be afraid to get your hopes up.

Just ask any fan of the New York Mets or Chicago Cubs. 

Three years of retirement was apparently enough for Chipper Jones, as the former All-Star will return to the Atlanta Braves in their front office.

The Braves' official Twitter account announced Thursday that Jones will be working as a special assistant to baseball operations.

The Atlanta Braves continue to make the long-term future their focus after trading Shelby Miller and Gabe Speier to the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2015 No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson, outfielder Ender Inciarte and pitching prospect Aaron Blair. 

Adding depth to their catching stable, the Atlanta Braves agreed to a deal with veteran Tyler Flowers on Tuesday.    

According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Flowers' deal with the Braves is for $5 million through 2017 with a $4 million option for 2018. 

Gordon Beckham is headed back to the Peach State.

The Atlanta Braves announced Monday they have agreed to a one-year contract to bring back right-handed reliever Jim Johnson, who will earn $2.5 million in 2016, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.

The Atlanta Braves started the process a year ago.

The plan, wisely implemented and shrewdly executed by a new front-office regime led by president of baseball operations John Hart and general manager John Coppolella, was to build the franchise into a youthful contender by the time it opened its new suburban stadium in 2017. That meant trading away much of the club’s core and stockpiling young pitching.

Brace yourselves, Atlanta Braves fans. Another franchise player might be about to make his exit.

The Atlanta Braves' organizational teardown is not leaving anyone safe, including star first baseman Freddie Freeman.

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