Greg Maddux to Retire?

Former Atlanta Brave pitcher Greg Maddux is very close to retirement according to his agent Scott Boras. The 42 year-old spent time with the San Diego Padres before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers mid-season. While Maddux made the post season roster, he was used as a reliever not a starter. Plus he would be much better suited to join his older brother Mike and become a pitching coach.

This got me thinking, if Maddux retires what about John Smoltz and Tom Glavine? Currently both players are rehabbing, hoping to make it back to the show. Glavine has said he would only return to the Braves, while Smoltz said he would be willing to go elsewhere. However, if Maddux retires, than I prefer for both Smoltz and Glavine to retire this year as well. How magical would it be to have those three enter the Hall of Fame together?

And let’s face it, it’s going to be a while before the Braves are ready to return to their playoff form. I’d rather start developing the Braves younger talent, so they’d be ready for a comeback in 2010, then have Smoltz and Glavine taking their spots. It would very odd to see a Braves roster that did not feature Smoltzie, but it would even worse if these guys miss entering together by one year.

News&Notes: The market for Jake Peavy is expanding...Greg Norton, Will Ohman and Julian Tavarez filed for free agency. I'd keep Ohman...Speaking of former Braves, Rafael Furcal filed for free agency...And apparently Andruw Jones would like to retire a Brave. Like one of those one day free agent signings? Otherwise I don't think so.
(Photo: AP)