Dave O'Brien Of Atlanta Journal Constitution Article On Tom Glavine

[Mitchell]

Last night, on the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.com website, there was an article by sportswriter Dave O Brien. The article, entitled "A Pitch For Glavine's Return". stated that Mr O Brien felt that Tom Glavine should return to the Braves, and that it could happen, if the team offered him a one year, ten million dollar a year deal. The article also containted quotes from Braves Pitcher John Smoltz, Braves Third Baseman Chipper Jones, and Atlanta Outfielder Jeff Francocur, about how they would all like to see Glavine return to Atlanta, as, even at age 42, he can still win games.
In spite of Glavine's poor outing for the Mets in their final regular season game yesterday, wouldn't Atlanta's 2007 season have been much different, if, say, Glavine had recorded his thirteen wins that he had for the Mets, for the Braves instead? If that had been the case, Atlanta would have been a comfortable NL East champion in 2007, instead of the third place, 84-78 team they were.
With Mike Hampton (Hopefully) returning from nearly three years of injuries next year, and the rest of Atlanta's pitching rotation an uncertainity, after top starters Tim Hudson, and John Smoltz, I would be in favor of Glavine's return to Atlanta, just as I was last winter, when it was talked about.
Finally, with Glavine's poor outing yesterday, that cost the Mets the playoff berth, one has to wonder if he can step on to the Shea Stadium field as a Met in 2008, and what the fan reaction and backlash would be.
Any thoughts on O'brien's Article, and Glavine returning to Atlanta? Please post. Thank you.

Mitch

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

Glavine could step on the Shea Stadium mound next year without backlash!!! It is amazing how the rest of this country perceives New York people!!! If Glavine were the ONLY reason for the Mets falling out of this race then I could understand. Jose Reyes proved he can be a magician and disappear for the entire 2nd half. Carlos Delgado who hit 38 homers and drove in 114 a year ago had 24 and 87 in 2007. Injuries played a major role ( though all teams have them so it is NO EXCUSE ). Glavine took the ball for over 200 innings this season and won 13 games. Had the Mets bullpen not been so putrid this year Glavine could have easily won 18 games. Glavine went 14 straight starts without losing a game. Wagner ( like Hoffman last night ) can't save big games in September. Mota stinks!!! This was not Glavine's fault for the Mets collapse!!! Glavine should he want to play next year should return to the Mets next season.

 

[Mitchell]

4u, I just read an article on SI.com with quotes from Glavine himself. The article, which had quotes from Glavine himself, stated that he was "Most likely" going to decline his 9 million dollar player option with the Mets for 2008.
The article further went on to say that Glavine will make his decision by early November. From his quotes, it sounds like he really wants to go back to the Braves. If they dont offer him anything, or they cant afford him, my bet is that he will probably retire, even though he did say that he might consider pitching for another team.
The Braves just let Andruw Jones go yesterday, as you probably know, and are badly in need of starting pitching. We now have 15 mil to spend. What I honestly see happening is Atlanta getting a 6 to 8 million dollar a year center fielder like Mike Cameron, or even bringing up a rookie, and using the rest of the money, likely 7 to 10 mil, to sign Glavine. The guy still won thirteen games, and Mike Hampton is a big question mark for 2008. We need starting pitching, so, Glavine would make sense.
Unless Glavine decides to retire, I truly think he will be back with the Braves in 2008.

Mitch

 

[Mitchell]

Glavine declined his Mets contract option today, and received a $3 million buyout. With the Braves now saving $15 million with the decision not to re sign Andruw Jones, I believe that the Braves and Glavine will likely reach a one year, 8 to 10 miliion dollar deal for 2008, with a player option for 2009. Glavine won thirteen games, and can still pitch, and, with Mike Hampton's status for 2008 uncertain due to his recovery from surgery, signing Glavine would make sense for the Braves, to upgrade their rotation , a problem area for them in 2007.
I fully expect to see Glavine back in a Braves uniform in 2008. If, by some chance he doesnt sign with them, I think, that, with his 300th win under his belt, he will likely retire.

Mitch