I just came from reading an article on New York Mets.com, which was a credible news article, and not bulletin board fodder, or speculation, concerning left handed pitcher Tom Glavine. The article stated that Glavine's contract with the Mets has expired, and that the left hander, who will be 41 next year, now has to consider whether to stay with the Mets for one more year to chase number 300, or go back to the Braves. As most baseball fans know, Glavine's long time friend John Smoltz has just re signed with Atlanta, and will be there in 2007. Additionally, the article stated that Glavine has a wonderful relationship with Braves manager Bobby Cox.
The situation is this: Glavine's children live in Atlanta, and he has stated that it is very difficult to spend summers with the Mets, and be far from his children, but that he could do so for one more year. Clearly, Tom's heart is torn between remaining with a Mets team that should still be very decent in 2007, and could well win another division, and maybe a World Series, or, to go back to a Braves team, with a pitching staff of Smoltz, Hudson, a returning Mike Hampton, himself, and a good young fifth starter. Clearly, if everyone is healthy, Atlanta should rebound in 2007, and, I believe, challenge for at least a wild card, and division title.
For the Braves, there are significant financial questions. Glavine's contract with the Mets has a player option of 7.5 mil for 2007, and a club option of 14 mil. One would have to believe that, if he really wants to return to the Braves, knowing their financial concerns, he might accept a contract in the neighborhood of 10 mil a year, to play one more year, and get number 300.
Also, it would be a great PR story for the Braves. In 1983, they released Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, with 268 wins, and watched him win number 300 for the Yankees in 1985, only to bring him back for his final major league start in 1987. Although he doesnt run the team any more, former Atlanta owner Ted Turner,said many times over the years, that letting Niekro go, was the biggest mistake during his ownership tenure with the Braves. Atlanta GM John Scherholtz was crucified in the Atlanta media in 2002, for allowing Glavine to get away. Now, would be a time to right a wrong.
Although Tom pitched the most important game in Braves history, as the winner of Game 6 of the 1995 World Series, financially, with a much younger Mike Hampton on board, one has to question if a team with payroll issues should risk signing a 41 year old pitcher. Granted, Glavine has never been hurt, and had a good year in 2006 for the Mets. I'm not sure if the Braves would spend 10 mil to sign a 41 year old pitcher, especially with the much younger left hander Mike Hampton already there. However, if they could afford it, bringing Glavine back, if he wins number 300, which is very likely, unless significant injury hits him, would be a huge PR coup. Not to mention the idea of having a 10 to 15 game winner on your staff, that could lead to a playoff spot.
If you were Tom, what would you do? Stay with the Mets one more year, and try to chase the World Series title that they fell short of this year, or, go home, and gamble that the Braves poor 2006 was just a one year fluke, and will reverse itself, with the return of Mike Hampton, and healthy players? I dont know what I would do if I was Glavine. Nor do I know if the Braves have, or would be willing to spend, 10 mil or more for a 41 year old pitcher, with all their other heavy contract commitments, and limited payroll. This is an intriguing question. So, if you were Glavine, and Atlanta GM John Scherholtz, what would you do in this case? To be honest, I wish he would come home, as I'd love to see him win 300 in Atlanta, and help our team back to the playoffs. I hope he comes back. I just dont know if Atlanta can afford him, or if he will, after considering all angles.
Mitch
The situation is this: Glavine's children live in Atlanta, and he has stated that it is very difficult to spend summers with the Mets, and be far from his children, but that he could do so for one more year. Clearly, Tom's heart is torn between remaining with a Mets team that should still be very decent in 2007, and could well win another division, and maybe a World Series, or, to go back to a Braves team, with a pitching staff of Smoltz, Hudson, a returning Mike Hampton, himself, and a good young fifth starter. Clearly, if everyone is healthy, Atlanta should rebound in 2007, and, I believe, challenge for at least a wild card, and division title.
For the Braves, there are significant financial questions. Glavine's contract with the Mets has a player option of 7.5 mil for 2007, and a club option of 14 mil. One would have to believe that, if he really wants to return to the Braves, knowing their financial concerns, he might accept a contract in the neighborhood of 10 mil a year, to play one more year, and get number 300.
Also, it would be a great PR story for the Braves. In 1983, they released Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, with 268 wins, and watched him win number 300 for the Yankees in 1985, only to bring him back for his final major league start in 1987. Although he doesnt run the team any more, former Atlanta owner Ted Turner,said many times over the years, that letting Niekro go, was the biggest mistake during his ownership tenure with the Braves. Atlanta GM John Scherholtz was crucified in the Atlanta media in 2002, for allowing Glavine to get away. Now, would be a time to right a wrong.
Although Tom pitched the most important game in Braves history, as the winner of Game 6 of the 1995 World Series, financially, with a much younger Mike Hampton on board, one has to question if a team with payroll issues should risk signing a 41 year old pitcher. Granted, Glavine has never been hurt, and had a good year in 2006 for the Mets. I'm not sure if the Braves would spend 10 mil to sign a 41 year old pitcher, especially with the much younger left hander Mike Hampton already there. However, if they could afford it, bringing Glavine back, if he wins number 300, which is very likely, unless significant injury hits him, would be a huge PR coup. Not to mention the idea of having a 10 to 15 game winner on your staff, that could lead to a playoff spot.
If you were Tom, what would you do? Stay with the Mets one more year, and try to chase the World Series title that they fell short of this year, or, go home, and gamble that the Braves poor 2006 was just a one year fluke, and will reverse itself, with the return of Mike Hampton, and healthy players? I dont know what I would do if I was Glavine. Nor do I know if the Braves have, or would be willing to spend, 10 mil or more for a 41 year old pitcher, with all their other heavy contract commitments, and limited payroll. This is an intriguing question. So, if you were Glavine, and Atlanta GM John Scherholtz, what would you do in this case? To be honest, I wish he would come home, as I'd love to see him win 300 in Atlanta, and help our team back to the playoffs. I hope he comes back. I just dont know if Atlanta can afford him, or if he will, after considering all angles.
Mitch
