Atlanta Braves

This offseason has been one of the more interesting ones in recent memory for the Atlanta Braves.

It started with the firing of general manager Frank Wren, as John Hart stepped in with a clear goal of changing the direction of the organization.

Hart has went to work on building depth in the farm system and has especially focused on stockpiling young arms.

The Atlanta Braves system may be weak, but the cupboard is far from bare.

Twenty-year-old second baseman Jose Peraza's exciting tools and advanced feel for the game have him on the fast track to the major leagues, while the team's top prospect from 2014, right-hander Lucas Sims, seems poised for a bounce-back campaign.  

The Atlanta Braves' 2015 roster became more clear after the Justin Upton trade.

The outfield will consist of Evan Gattis, B.J. Upton and Nick Markakis. Christian Bethancourt will be the primary catcher.

The infield also looks set with Freddie Freeman, Andrelton Simmons, Chris Johnson and either Alberto Callaspo or Jace Peterson.

While the positional players look clear, the rotation still has some question marks.

Free-agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski could have called it a career after 17 MLB seasons, but he will play at least one more year after reportedly signing a contract with the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.

MLB.com's Mark Bowman provided the details of Pierzynski's new deal:

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported on Friday, Dec. 26, the financial details of the deal:

The Atlanta Braves have completely transformed their roster this offseason as we sit at the two-month mark.

The man pegged to be the future face of the franchise as he ascended through the minors (Jason Heyward), was traded away to St. Louis.

The player who generated so much excitement as he completed the most thrilling outfield in the game (Justin Upton) did not last as long in Atlanta as the "throw in" (Chris Johnson) from that trade.

When the Atlanta Braves traded outfielder Jason Heyward to St. Louis in November, it signaled that the club might be initiating a rebuild.

The Atlanta Braves' offseason transformation continued Friday as they dealt All-Star outfielder Justin Upton to the San Diego Padres for a quartet of prospects.

According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Braves will receive pitcher Max Fried, shortstop Jace Peterson, third baseman Dustin Peterson and outfielder Mallex Smith in exchange for the 27-year-old slugger:

The 2014 MLB winter meetings saw many big splashes, but the Atlanta Braves were not a part of one of them.

Despite rumors of the Braves being involved in trade talks, nothing materialized on that front.

The two main trade targets the Braves are shopping are Justin Upton and Evan Gattis, and things remained quiet on that front throughout the week, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman:

The Atlanta Braves' busy offseason continued Tuesday as they reached an agreement to sign infielder Alberto Callaspo to an undisclosed deal.    

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez confirmed Jim Bowden of ESPN's initial report to MLB Network Radio:

The Atlanta Braves made a big splash in free agency Wednesday by signing outfielder Nick Markakis, but their new acquisition comes with some baggage in the form of an injury.