While the Los Angeles Angels and Miami Marlins have been creating headlines with their signings of Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson and Jose Reyes, countless teams have been slow movers. Among those teams are the Atlanta Braves. The Braves stopped playing ball once the calendar changed to September this past season, leaving fans hoping for money to be spent and changes to be made.

To start the offseason, the Braves ate a big portion of Derek Lowe’s contract and shipped him to Cleveland for Chris Jones. Jones pitched for Single-A Kinston in 2011, going 7-1 with a 3.36 ERA in 43 games. The Braves also saw their ace, Tim Hudson go under the knife to fix his ailing back. Add in the doubt to the health of Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens, and the Braves rotation could be quite different in 2012.

Since the Braves season ended, rumors started about possibly trading Jurrjens and/or Martin Prado. While those rumors haven’t led to anything as of yet, for the right price, both could see themselves playing elsewhere next season. What moves have actually been close this far for the Braves?

Earlier in the offseason, the Braves picked up the option on infielder Eric Hinske, while declining the option on center fielder, Nate McLouth. Hinske hit .233 with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs, while McLouth hit .228 with four home runs and 16 RBIs. McLouth has never been able to get going in Atlanta, and was expendable with the acquisition of Michael Bourn.

Relief pitcher Peter Moylan and utility infielder Brooks Conrad were both non-tendered contracts, making them free agents. Moylan appeared in just 13 games last season, spending most of the time on the disabled list. He was 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA. Conrad, the 2010 playoffs goat for the Braves had a terrible season, hitting just .223 with four home runs and 13 RBIs.

The Braves appear to be looking at prospect Tyler Pastornicky as their starter at shortstop, as they allowed Alex Gonzalez to sign with the Milwaukee Brewers. The defensive stud suffered through a horrible offensive campaign, hitting just .241 with 15 home runs and 56 RBIs.

In a division that has seen the Washington Nationals improve over the years, Miami and the Philadelphia Phillies improve this offseason, the National League East could be a scary division to play in. Atlanta needs to start making moves soon, or they could see a fourth place finish in 2012.

For access to Atlanta Braves season recaps from 1990-present, a look at trades that changed Braves history, or a look at the greatest award winners in team history, go here for easier access.

More from this contributor:

All-Braves Team

Top Athletes to Return from Retirement and have an Impact

Braves 2012 Starting Rotation

Remembering Skip Caray

Rise and fall of Andruw Jones

Hobson Lopes has been a life-long Atlanta Braves fan, thanks to TBS, and can be followed on Twitter @HobsonLopes.

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ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have selected left-hander Robert Fish from the Los Angeles Angels organization in the Rule 5 draft.

The 23-year-old Fish has been used mostly as a reliever over six minor-league seasons with the Angels and gives the Braves another left-handed option out of the bullpen. He was acquired during the winter meetings in Dallas.

Last season, Fish struck out 41 over 30 1-3 innings with a 3.26 ERA at Double-A Arkansas. For his career, he is 21-20 with a 4.87 ERA.

Fish was a sixth-round pick by the Angels in the 2006 June draft.

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have selected left-hander Robert Fish from the Los Angeles Angels organization in the Rule 5 draft.

The 23-year-old Fish has been used mostly as a reliever over six minor-league seasons with the Angels and gives the Braves another left-handed option out of the bullpen. He was acquired during the winter meetings in Dallas.

Last season, Fish struck out 41 over 30 1-3 innings with a 3.26 ERA at Double-A Arkansas. For his career, he is 21-20 with a 4.87 ERA.

Fish was a sixth-round pick by the Angels in the 2006 June draft.

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have selected left-hander Robert Fish from the Los Angeles Angels organization in the Rule 5 draft.

The 23-year-old Fish has been used mostly as a reliever over six minor-league seasons with the Angels and gives the Braves another left-handed option out of the bullpen. He was acquired during the winter meetings in Dallas.

Last season, Fish struck out 41 over 30 1-3 innings with a 3.26 ERA at Double-A Arkansas. For his career, he is 21-20 with a 4.87 ERA.

Fish was a sixth-round pick by the Angels in the 2006 June draft.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

ATLANTA (AP)—The Atlanta Braves have selected left-hander Robert Fish from
the Los Angeles Angels organization in the Rule 5 draft.

The 23-year-old Fish has been used mostly as a reliever over six
minor-league seasons with the Angels and gives the Braves another left-handed
option out of the bullpen. He was acquired during the winter meetings in Dallas.

Last season, Fish struck out 41 over 30 1-3 innings with a 3.26 ERA at
Double-A Arkansas. For his career, he is 21-20 with a 4.87 ERA.

Fish was a sixth-round pick by the Angels in the 2006 June draft.