"After reaching a two-year agreement with veteran backup catcher Gerald Laird on Thursday morning, Braves general manager Frank Wren spent Thursday afternoon and some of the early evening courting free-agent outfielder B.J. Upton.

The Braves welcomed Upton to Turner Field on Thursday to provide the talented former Tampa Bay Ray a better sense of how much they are hoping he chooses to play in Atlanta next year. Wren and manager Fredi Gonzalez were both present for the meeting.

With the assumption that Josh Hamilton will be too expensive, the Braves appear to regard Upton as the most attractive outfielder available on the free-agent market.

But the Braves are not the only National League East club interested in Upton. The Phillies are believed to be making a serious push to land the 28-year-old, who had been with the Rays since being selected second overall in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft.