Glavine and the Braves to meet on Wednesday

LHP Tom Glavine has yet to accept the one year offer extended to him by the Braves, but that could all change on Wednesday. According to Foxsports.com, Glavine and his agent Greg Clifton are expected to meet with the Braves to discuss 2009. The major sticking point between the two parties is money. Atlanta is offering a one year, $1 million contract with incentives that could make it worth $3 million, while Glavine would like a $2 to 3 million guaranteed contract with incentives that would bring the deal up to the $6 million mark. Not likely to happen with the Braves suddenly cash-strapped status and in need of a left fielder.

There is no way Glavine is going to get the money he wants, so it’s up to him to decide how important playing in Atlanta is to him. The Braves really do not have the $6 million to pay for Tommy, even if they wanted to front that money. But other teams like the Nationals do. I think the Braves could up their offer a bit, but no matter what, they should not walk into Opening Day without room left in their budget for later adjustments, that’s just ludicrous.

Speaking of outfielders, the Angels look close to landing Bobby Abreu, who was believed to be on the Braves radar. This leaves a pair of Yankees outfielders for the Braves to try to go after, Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher. Their price tag could be a bit high, and that is not including the financial ramifications. Atlanta would have to give up prospects to land either player, but either player could dutifully fulfill the Bravos glaring hole in left. Now Jo-Jo Reyes acting as the Braves only left handed starter, well that's another story.
(Photo: AP; Source)