Braves are ready to deal

ATLANTA - With the clock ticking down on today's 4 p.m. trading deadline, Braves general manager John Schuerholz was waiting to hear from teams he was in discussions with concerning a veteran reliever or two.

"We're prepared to (do something)," said Schuerholz, who has not made a deadline deal since acquiring shortstop Rey Sanchez from the Royals three years ago. "We have until four o'clock and we'll go right up until then. We're trying to improve our team. You just keep talking to people and see how you match up."

While Schuerholz was hopeful of making a trade, he also responded to a question by saying that he felt the Braves were strong enough to win the National League East without making a move.

"We're a first-place team, and if we can become a stronger first-place team, I'd like to do it," he said. "My philosophy has always been, if you do something that makes the team stronger, it may stay on a roll longer or get on another roll later on. What's most important is winning another pennant."

There were few players inside the clubhouse who expected, or wanted, Schuerholz to make a trade. The feeling from many veterans was that if Schuerholz made a deal, it wouldn't be a blockbuster trade, it would be a move to tweak the bullpen or bench.

That was fine with backup catcher Eddie Perez.

"I don't think we need anybody," he said. "We're playing real good right now. Other teams are saying, the Braves are playing real good, we'd better get some help."

SLOW RECOVERY: Second baseman Marcus Giles was batting .339 when he broke his collarbone May 15 and missed 52 games. Since he returned to the lineup July 15, he has hit .213 (10-for-47) in 14 games. He blames his offensive woes on his lack of conditioning, which was hampered by his recovery.

"If I was completely healthy and took off from November to January, it wouldn't be near as hard to get my swing back," Giles said. "Basically, I'm out of shape and weak."