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    ATLANTA — One year has made a big difference in Chipper Jones' outlook.     Jones said Tuesday he is feeling optimistic about his health as he moves closer to his 18th season with the Braves. He has had two knee surgeries in the last two years and said he knows there will be days he will need to rest.     His 40th birthday comes in April, and he had some gray in the hair ... Read More

    ATLANTA — Brandon Beachy did his best to forget what happened at the end of last season.     It all came back to him this past weekend, when the Braves pitcher was in St. Louis visiting his college roommate.     Everywhere Beachy looked, there were shirts, caps and other gear celebrating the Cardinals' improbable World Series championship.     A title, of course, that came at Atlanta's expense.     "They're lucky we lost that last ... Read More

    ATLANTA — There has been no flashy free agent signing, no blockbuster trade this offseason for the Atlanta Braves.     General manager Frank Wren says there also has been no panic.     Wren says the quiet winter is proof of his confidence in the Braves' talent, even after the team blew an 8 1/2-game wild-card lead in September.     With one month remaining before pitchers and catchers conduct their first spring training workout on ... Read More

    ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves avoided arbitration Tuesday, agreeing to one-year deals with outfielder Michael Bourn for $6.845,000, starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens for $5.5 million and reliever Eric O'Flaherty for $2.49 million.     The agreements were reached just before teams and players exchanged figures for arbitration hearings.     The Braves also agreed on a minor league contract with free-agent reliever Peter Moylan, who missed most of last season with injuries but had been a ... Read More