by Sports Xchange

--RHP Tim Hudson's contract extension, announced Nov. 12, was the key to the Braves' offseason moves. GM Frank Wren needed to know how many starters he had under contract so he would know what is possible for trades.

--C Brain McCann's third Silver Slugger award is even sweeter to him after his early-season blurry-vision scare. McCann put off a Lasik adjustment until after the season because the risk of irritation or infection from infield dirt and home-plate collisions.

--RHP Tommy Hanson finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting despite manager Bobby Cox's constant touting of his credentials during the season. But what the team really cares about is that Hanson has firmly established himself as a quality big-league starter.

--RHP Scott Proctor was signed to a one-year minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He missed all of last season rehabbing from elbow ligament transplant surgery, and the Braves had such good luck with other pitchers returning from the Tommy John procedure: RHP Peter Moylan, RHP Tim Hudson and, to a lesser extent, LHP Mike Gonzalez.

--OF Reid Gorecki, a late-season addition to the bench, was allowed to become a free agent -- not surprisingly, since he was also not the answer to the Braves' bench needs. That was the team's biggest weakness last season, and general manager Frank Wren is determined not to settle for minor league lifers in the role in 2010.

BY THE NUMBERS: .307 -- 2B Martin Prado's team-leading batting average.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's going to be a pleasure to watch him get better." --All-Star C Brian McCann on RHP Tommy Hanson, who finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting.