DAVID O’BRIEN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The non-waiver trade deadline passed Thursday without the Braves getting either the power-hitting outfielder they sought or the solid prospect they wanted in exchange for reliever Will Ohman.

But general manager Frank Wren said he still was satisfied after a week in which the out-of-contention Braves turned their attentions toward the future and acquired a first baseman, Casey Kotchman, they could afford to keep for at least a few seasons.

“Up until 10 minutes before the deadline, we were in discussions [for trades] that didn’t materialize,” said Wren, who acknowledged the Braves discussed a trade last week that would have brought outfielder Jason Bay from Pittsburgh.

Bay ended up going to Boston on Thursday in the three-team megadeal that sent controversial Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Up until last week we were very competitive in a lot of deals, including Bay,” said Wren, who indicated the Braves would look to strengthen their outfield and starting rotation via trades or free agency between now and the 2009 season.

While Mark Kotsay or someone else might still be moved in a waiver trade in August, Wren said the Braves planned to keep Ohman for the rest of the season after getting trade offers for the veteran left-hander that included only fringe prospects.

Ohman is projected to be a Type B free agent who would bring the Braves a “sandwich” draft pick — somewhere between the 30th and 45th overall selections in the June draft — as compensation from any team that signed him this winter.

Wren said it would have taken a solid prospect in an offer for Ohman to make it worth giving up that draft pick. Asked if that meant they wouldn’t consider trying to re-sign Ohman as a free agent, Wren said no, the Braves hadn’t ruled out that possibility.

Ohman has been one of the best lefty relievers in the majors this season, posting a 2.80 ERA and .198 opponents’ average in 56 appearances before Thursday.

Manager Bobby Cox said he hoped the Braves would be able to keep him. Ohman might command a two- or three-year contract worth at least $3 million annually.

“I like him,” Cox said. “Good guy. He’s done everything you could ask. He pitches whenever you call on him, upbeat all the time. He’s had his best year.”

Ohman, 30, was relieved to hear he wasn’t dealt Thursday, so he could call his wife and tell her they wouldn’t be moving for the season’s final two months. He reiterated what he has said for weeks: He hopes the Braves will try to re-sign him.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, and I’m excited that it continues,” said Ohman, acquired from the Chicago Cubs with utility man Omar Infante in a December trade for reliever Jose Ascanio.

“Hopefully I get to stay here longer than two [more] months. Obviously the return [the Braves] were going to get [in a trade] for guy like me wasn’t going to make the team better, in their eyes.

“So the job remains the same as it was yesterday — go out and get outs.”

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Copyright© 2008 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution