Well the A’s are apparently now deciding to try and win at the major league level, as they have given out a franchise record contract this offseason to Luis Severino and now traded significant capital for Jeffrey Springs. It’s a bit perplexing to me, as they do have a respectable farm system at this point, but it isn’t exactly loaded and a .500 second half to the 2024 season is far from enough to convince me that they are anywhere close to competing. Furthermore, they will be playing in Sacramento for the time being, which is a temporary solution, so I don’t see a particular rush to try and build excitement for the team in a new city. Perhaps the strategy is to enter their final destination (presumably Las Vegas) as an already contending team to maximize interest. I’m also not convinced that either of these deals make much sense just on a value for cost perspective, but I suppose that is to be determined.

Braves News

Spencer Schwellenbach was awarded a nice little bonus out of the pre-arbitration bonus pool on the basis of his quality performance this season.

Demetrius reviewed Travis d’Arnaud’s 2024, likely his last season the a Braves uniform, after a valuable stint for the franchise.

MLB News

Ken Rosenthal wrote up a bunch of rumors for The Athletic, including Luis Castillo trade talk and the A’s continuing to be aggressive in improving their major league team.

The A’s traded significant prospect assets to the Rays for Jeffrey Springs and his 3 years of team control.

The Astros are reportedly a serious suitor to trade for Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A special moment took place at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Saturday afternoon.

A 12-year-old girl from Gaza named Habiba landed in the United States for the first time.

Through a translator, the girl shared her excitement.

“I’m very happy to be here and I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” Habiba said.

Habiba — accompanied by her aunt Heyam — was flown out to Atlanta by HEAL Palestine. The nonprofit organization provides medical assistance to Palestinian children.

Habiba is the first child from Gaza to be brought to Atlanta through this initiative.

HEAL Palestine helped arrange their travel and funded a cranioplasty surgery for the refugee.

“I hope that I will recover well and that I will heal after,” Habiba said.

On January 3, 2024, an Israeli airstrike bombed Habiba’s family’s tent.

This attack killed her mother, three sisters, uncle and cousins.

Habiba, initially presumed dead, was miraculously found alive the next day. She was severely injured with burns, along with abdominal and cranial wounds.

Tamara Quadri is a volunteer with HEAL Palestine who was at the airport on Saturday.

“Her injury was grave and they’ve experienced a lot of trauma over there,” she said.

For Quadri and others who greeted the girl at the airport, Habiba’s mindset and attitude was inspiring.

“In many ways, she’ll heal us because of her strength and resilience,” she said. “It’s infectious.”

Heyam, Habiba’s aunt, expressed relief that they had finally arrived in Atlanta after a difficult year.

“It was a miracle and felt like a difficult dream that came true,” she said.

Habiba will have a medical assessment on Monday to determine a timeline for her surgery and recovery.

Once her treatment is complete, she and Heyam will decide whether to return to Egypt — where they’ve been living as refugees — or extend their stay in Atlanta.

Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.

ATLANTA – Atlanta police are investigating a deadly stabbing they say took place just blocks away from Grady Memorial Hospital in downtown Atlanta.

Police were called to 133 Trinity Avenue SW, which appeared to be the address for an apartment complex, at 4:24 a.m. on Saturday. That’s where they found a 54-year-old man stabbed to death.

There has been no word yet on a suspect or motive in the case.

This is an ongoing homicide investigation.

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