BASEBALL MOVES Braves back in arms race

Atlanta's John Schuerholz said he planned to rebuild the pitching staff.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Atlanta Braves made another huge pitch for success, getting Tim Hudson from Oakland. And the Seattle Mariners added another slugger, grabbing Adrian Beltre off the free-agent market.
In a brisk day for deals, the Braves made the biggest trade of the off-season Thursday.
With Los Angeles, Boston and the New York Yankees rumored to be pursuing Hudson, the Braves swooped in and got the Athletics ace for outfielder Charles Thomas and pitchers Juan Cruz and Dan Meyer.
The Braves have won 13 straight division titles. Last Saturday, they got All-Star closer Dan Kolb from Milwaukee -- a move that allowed them to move John Smoltz back into the rotation.
Looking for pop
After finishing at the bottom of the AL West and winding up last in the league in runs and homers, the Mariners reached agreement with Beltre on a $64 million, five-year deal Thursday, The Associated Press learned.
Beltre's contract was subject to his passing a physical, a person close to the third baseman said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The deal could be announced as early as today. Seattle did not comment on the agreement.
A day earlier, the Mariners finalized a $50 million, four-year contract with free-agent first baseman Richie Sexson.
In another deal, Atlanta sent outfielder Eli Marrero to Kansas City for right-hander Jorge Vasquez. The Braves began the day by reaching agreement with Smoltz on $20 million, two-year contract.
Disappointed Dodgers
Beltre, 25, led the majors with 48 home runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit .334 with 121 RBIs, and finished second behind Barry Bonds in the NL MVP voting.
The Dodgers wanted to keep Beltre. But Los Angeles recently gave itself some protection, signing free-agent Jeff Kent and saying that he could play third base, along with his usual spot at second.
Thomas made his major league debut last season and batted .288 with seven homers and 31 RBIs. Cruz was 6-2 with a 2.75 ERA in 50 relief outings. Meyer was 0-0 in two games with Braves after going 9-6 with a 2.49 ERA at Double-A Greenville and Triple-A Richmond.
Vasquez, 26, also made his major league debut last season, pitching in two games for Kansas City. He spent most of the year at Triple-A Wichita, going 4-5 with a 4.68 ERA and 18 saves.
Marrero hit .320 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs in a part-time role with Atlanta. The Braves got him with J.D. Drew last off-season in a trade that sent Jason Marquis to St. Louis.