NASHVILLE, Tenn. — – The Atlanta Braves exercised their 2014 option on the contract of manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Taking over when Bobby Cox retired after the 2010 season, Gonzalez has managed the Braves to a 183-141 record. A September slump cost them a playoff berth in the 2011 playoffs and they lost to St. Louis in this year’s NL wild-card game.

Atlanta also hired Dave Holliday and Brad Sloan as special assistants to general manager Frank Wren and major league scouts.

In other news at baseball’s winter meetings, Jeff Keppinger, Joe Blanton, Jason Bay and a diamond full of players wound up in different places while top contenders waited for a pair of free-agent prizes to make their decisions.

Eric Chavez, Randy Choate and Sean Burnett also joined new teams. The lone trade was minor, with Detroit sending left-hander Andy Oliver to Pittsburgh for a young catcher.

Former MVP Josh Hamilton and former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke remained in play. They’re the driving forces in this market and depending on where they go, more moves are likely to follow.

New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey keeps drawing attention. He lives near the Opryland Hotel and dropped in for a visit, though there’s no change in his situation. Signed for next season, he wants a new contract while several clubs, including Boston, want to trade for the reigning NL Cy Young winner.

In the meantime, some deals stayed on deck. No telling if any of them will get done before the meetings end today with the Rule 5 draft for players left off 40-man rosters.

Keppinger agreed with the Chicago White Sox on a $12 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the deal said on condition of anonymity because there was no announcement.

Arizona wound up with Chavez, giving the corner infielder a $3 million, one-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal said.

Bay and Seattle agreed on a one-year deal, a person familiar with the negotiation said.

The Los Angeles Angels added Blanton and Burnett to their retooled pitching staff, and St. Louis signed Choate for its bullpen.

Baltimore kept outfielder Nate McLouth and Colorado re-signed pitcher Jeff Francis.