ajcsportstalk

By Steve

December 1, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this

They should get Sandy Koufax.

By David Duncan

December 1, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this

The lack of an offer to Glavine indicates that the Braves have no intention of improving the team in 2007. So, Brave fans get ready for another mediocre season just like 2006.

By DeWayne

December 1, 2006 07:26 PM | Link to this

Here is Glavine blaing the braves for no offer, when did I hear this before, oh yeah last time he signed with the mets. JS already told that story and showed it to be a lie in his book. Sorry Tommy, I am not buying it this time either. You took the money like the Union guy you are, once again. I hope you tell your family to stay home when you come to Atlanta, because its not going to be pretty when you show up at the Ted. Glavine lies, Clifton lies and the local media writes he comments as fact. When will a reporter actually stand up and ask him why he lies?

By DeWayne

December 1, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this

No offer? Poppycock. He did this same baloney 4 years ago, we all read JS’s book and know he lied, he is lying again. Ask the front office how shoched they are! Glavine took the money and the 2nd year, which is what his “talks’ with the braves were all about forcing the Mets to do. He has no credibility in this, he took the money just like the last time. He and his agent lied and played the braves yet again. I hope we batter him like a ship in a hurricane when we play him the next time. Time for a reporter to actaully call him to his face what he is a liar.

By Jim Hertel

December 1, 2006 07:38 PM | Link to this

I’m sick. Even though I shouldn’t have, I let myself get excited that Tom would once again be pitching for the Braves and that he would win his 300th game in a Braves uniform. Now, I know that isn’t to be.

Actually, I don’t really know if this deal would have helped the Braves as much as it would have weakened the Mets. Starting pitching isn’t our greatest need, and at best Tom would have been here only 1 or 2 years. But it would have been a tremendous energy boost for a team that really needs it.

By True Braves Fan

December 1, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this

DeWayne you are right on. Tom “Mr. Union $$$” Glavine had no intentions of signing with the Braves. It was all show, and an attempt to get the Mets to make a higher offer. If the Braves had made an offer and the Mets made a $1 higher offer, he would have stayed with the Mets. The man has no class, regardless of the “White Knight Image” the AJC sportswriters try to give him. Let Glavine go to NY, and take his family with him……Also, I hope this is the FINAL blog on Glavine by anyone in Atlanta.

By RM

December 1, 2006 07:49 PM | Link to this

I’ve heard and read here and elsewhere that Glavine would take the “hometown” discount. I thought, “why would he go against his credo of taking as much $ as possible?” Answer: he wouldn’t.

I don’t blame him, but I’m glad he’s still in NY. He’s due for his collapse.

By Brad

December 1, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this

Glavine’s lying.

Who cares anyway? The Braves need to use their money to get YOUNG players. Pulling stuffing out of the old folks home with people like Glavine doesn’t give the Braves the longevity they need for the team’s future.

WTG Glavine! Glad you’re NOT coming back!

By Chris

December 1, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this

J.S. should have made an offer. But the fact is the Braves can’t afford to pay any players what they’re worth. The Braves are simply going to get worse and worse as the years go by unless they raise their payroll dramatically. Bring in Arthur Blank PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

By Ol

December 1, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this

What’s new? Tom “Benedict Arnold” Glavine never had any intention of signing with the Braves. He just wanted the few of you idiots to believe he really “cared” for the organization. He is a phoney.

By Sam

December 1, 2006 08:00 PM | Link to this

I think this should prevent Glavine’s number from bring retired. He’s shown he neither desires nor is worth of being honored as a Brave. It’s a shame he’ll go into the hall with a Braves hat on. He doesn’t deserve it.

By Tony Almeida

December 1, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this

Typical John Schurholtz. Sits around with his thumb up his a$$ all winter and not even going to attempt to improve this team. We’ll end up giving Giles away for crappy talent like Johnny Estrada. But don’t worry, JS will be front and center during spring training saying how optimistic the Braves chances are….GEEZ JS, just resign Chris Reitsma and put us out of our misery already.

By cincybravesfan

December 1, 2006 08:15 PM | Link to this

People need to lay off the “Union” and “$$$” slurs. Glavine would be a chump if he agreed to make less than less talented pitchers. The Braves were to cheap to ante up and that’s the way the game is played today. The Union is there as a result of the cheap way the players were treated for decades by the overly avaricious owners. It’s completely out of hand now but that’s what happens in the “free market.”

If anyone of you actually had the talent (or even dreamed you had the talent) to play at Galvine’s level you’d be a Union member doing the exact same thing.

All this being said, I agree with Jim that I would love to see Glavine pitch #300 as a Brave. I hated seeing him go. I hated seeing Maddux go. And I would hate to see Smoltzie go.

However, I agree with Brad that we need young players and build for the future around the foundation we have (which is not as bad as some think).

By David

December 1, 2006 08:18 PM | Link to this

You guys can blame Glavine all you want for not waiting for an offer that never came. Me, I’m going to round up all of the “try AOL free for a month” discs I can find and incinerate them.

Note to MLB: could you please do something to speed up the pace of this sale? Atlanta already has one sports team with murky ownership issues. That should be enough.

By Alex

December 1, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this

Benedict Glavine, good decision. It would be kind of weird to have to boo the Braves Starter when going to home games at the Ted. Stay with the hated NY Mutts. You deserve to be with the money sucking leeches that are the Mutts, after all, they learned from the Yankees, that you have to overspend to win your division.

Maybe he should retire to the HOF with a Mutts jersey! Enjoy your money TommyG!

By el jefe

December 1, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this

we all knew that tommy boy wasnt going to come back for the same reason he left in the first place - money. let that turncoat traitor keep playing for the mets, $10.5m for that old bag of sawdust is a joke. rot in hell glavine.

By Brian

December 1, 2006 08:27 PM | Link to this

The reason Atlanta had not made an offer yet is because if they waited till Saturday they would not have to give up draft picks to the Mets. Glavine jumped the gun.

By Brooks

December 1, 2006 08:32 PM | Link to this

I’m glad the Braves didn’t try to get that turkey back. He’s all about money and what’s best for Tom Glavine. He would choose money over loyalty any day. He showed that when he left Atlanta. It’s good to see he is making enough for his family to eat. What a selfish trader. GO DAWGS

By Don

December 1, 2006 08:35 PM | Link to this

The arrtogance and incompetence of Schuerholz strikes again. Don’t worry about winning any championships anytime soon. Tommy should have won #300 as a Brave.

By ag

December 1, 2006 08:36 PM | Link to this

Cliffton/Money> Wife/4 Kids

By TD

December 1, 2006 08:41 PM | Link to this

screw JS and screw the screwed up corporate ownership. JS just talks the party line because he knows who writes his paycheck. the Braves have an excellent chance to continuing to play .500 ball or worse in 07. Glavine made the right choice. The Braves had their run and he is playing for a better team with a chance to win another ring. It would have been great to have him win his 300th as a Brave, but now JS can focus on picking up another Kolb or some other loser.
I can’t believe people would actually read Surejerk’s book. Also, I am sure all of you complainers would turn down jobs that pay your more money so you could stay with some other company. The Braves overspent for years and only one a single World Series and Glavine was the MVP!

By David

December 1, 2006 08:47 PM | Link to this

“The reason Atlanta had not made an offer yet is because if they waited till Saturday they would not have to give up draft picks to the Mets. Glavine jumped the gun.”

Judging from the dialogue presented in this as well as other recent AJC pieces, I infer that no immediate offer was forthcoming even after December 1. My initial comment when the forum went live the other day was that we were obviously waiting to sign him until then. The comments today, however, make it sound as if we were not going to make any offer until such a time as we had payroll availability.

I believe from the events we are watching unfold that JS has his hands tied by the ownership sale. He cannot even artificially go over that $80 million figure no matter whether or not he is under that by the time the organization starts handing out 2007 paychecks. If this is true, the story is much bigger than Tom Glavine returning to the Mets.

By GTBL

December 1, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this

Im GLAD HE IS NOT COMING BACK.

GT-34 WAKE-19 ACC CHAMPS STATE CHAMPS WOULD OF BEEN NICE.

By Bob

December 1, 2006 08:53 PM | Link to this

A few months ago I was hoping Arthur Blank would be able to purchase the Braves. Now I am not so sure. The Falcons are no better than the Braves now. And can you imagine Arthur down in the dugout talking to Bobby Cox from the 7th inning on? No so sure that would be welcome news for the team

By Bill

December 1, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

The act of trying to get Tom Glavine would have proved that the Braves wanted to sell seats and offer Braves fans a chance to reminiscence of a time when we won. The fact that he never got a offer is telling. This team is not going to beat the Mets and it might not even be a very competive team. The good old days are gone and Tom you should stay in NY. I should stay home with all the rest of Atlanta.

By Mark

December 1, 2006 09:04 PM | Link to this

“The lack of an offer to Glavine indicates that the Braves have no intention of improving the team in 2007.”

We don’t make a 1 year, $10 million offer to a 40 year old hack who has no sense of loyalty to the organization that made him who he is today, and therefore we don’t want to improve the team for ‘07. Good luck with him New York, lightning doesn’t stike the same place twice.

By Grits

December 1, 2006 09:04 PM | Link to this

Glavine a traitor? Hell, he’s just another yankee transplant. Why would he give a shi† about Atlanta, Georgia. He was only here to suck what he could out of Georgia, and move on.

By Greg

December 1, 2006 09:12 PM | Link to this

You reach a certain point where you wonder if this team is just plain screwed by its payroll. I have no idea if the Braves were ever serious about bring Glavine back, but I know the Mets treated him with real respect and trusted him with making his decision. Scheurholz’s “I am the boss, speak when spoken to” schtick is getting old.

Signing Glavine would have made us a better team and perhaps allowed us to trade Hudson for a better player. What’s more, it would have greatly weakened the Mets.

Is ANYTHING going to be done to improve this team?

By Bryan

December 1, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this

This is a stinking shame. The Braves that I loved are truly gone, if they cant even make a “gentleman’s offer”. The whole idea of Glavine going for 300 wins would have put people in the seats and increased revenue to pay for his stinking contract. This is a disgrace. I don’t get it at all….

By Bruce

December 1, 2006 09:22 PM | Link to this

Seems like folks who have posted so far have not read what Mr. Shuerholz says in Mark Bowman’s article titled “Glavine passes on Braves Lefty decides to stay in New York, despite flirting with Atlanta” on Braves MLB site.

One quote: “It’s very disappointing,” Schuerholz said. “We wish we could have gotten him back. We tried hard. It just didn’t work.”

That article sounds to me like Mr. Shuerholz was trying to make it happen and Glavine got cold feet and my guess is the Mets got cold feet too.

I am looking forward to DOB’s behind the scenes info gathering and posts on this… I bet most of us will be surprised with how it went down and disappointed that Glavine could not wait 24-36 hours longer.

By Greg

December 1, 2006 09:23 PM | Link to this

Time Warner sucks.

By Jeffrey

December 1, 2006 09:43 PM | Link to this

Well I certainly value and salute John Smoltz even more now. Smoltz could have walked away for big money but he stayed loyal to his fans. To think that Glavine would make even $1 more than Smoltz is an outrage. It would have been great to have Glavine back but he once again shows that he is a stubborn and impatient character. I know Mets fans are already turning on him for toying with a return to the Braves. I see a lonely future for Glavine with no fans anywhere liking him.

By Bruce

December 1, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this

and even more and better, check out Dave O’Brien’s updated article on AJC online, it has quotes he got from Mr. Shuerholz…

I believe the Braves tried and Glavine and the Mets got cold feet… both were afraid of being left without a deal while the Braves were trying to make a deal.
A bit more communication from Glavine to Braves on his timing requirements would have helped make a deal happen. Oh well… we move on… Right?

By Chris

December 1, 2006 09:51 PM | Link to this

Greg In the end I’m not so sure this will improve the Mets. Glavine can’t pitch at a solid level much longer, and by them signing him on again that may stop them from going after Barry Zito.

Then again who knows. The Mets actually have money to spend to make their team better in the offseason. Meanwhile, the Braves do not.

By Don

December 1, 2006 09:57 PM | Link to this

Just read DOB’s article. Some JS soundbites seem to lean to JS losing initiative on strengthening the pitching staff although it was the primary objective. I’m very disappointed in this man’s ability to make things happen now days. It seems as if his trades and signings, what few they are, are low impact and sometimes ill conceived. I just get the feeling, with this ownership situation lingering, AJ likely on the way out, budget freeze (I mean how many years in a row is this thing going to be $80 million), and lack of moves (so far) to meet the needs (starting & relief pitching), LF, speed, lead off), this franchise may be seeing much worse days before they next make the playoffs in the years ahead.

By cwc

December 1, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this

Grits, you have to be an absolute moron to believe Glavine is a traitor and JS is incompetent as a few bloggers suggest.

How many of the bloggers who criticize Glavine for “taking the money” would take less for doing their job if they didn’t have to? Very few, if any. It’s business. He gets it and you don’t.

Grits suggest Glavine was only here to suck the money out of Georgia and move on. After his season was over he came back to Atlanta and traveled to several high school football games on friday nights. His purpose. Raise money for a charity to help children with cancer. What have you done with your free time, Grits?

How can anyone blame JS? It is not a coincidence the Braves didn’t start winning until he got here. He has pulled some amazing trades and signed a few great free agents. The Braves have the respect of all of baseball due to JS, Bobby Cox, and a few core players. The people who appreciate this fact were around in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s!

I would rather be in the hunt each year at an $80 million payroll (or less) than spend $200 million and not even make the World Series.

By Chris

December 1, 2006 10:06 PM | Link to this

I agree with what someone else said on here earlier…the Braves problem right now is much bigger than losing out on getting Glavine back.

What the Braves need now (in my opinion) more than anything else is a higher payroll that keeps up with the Mets and other big spenders.

As free agent contracts continue to increase the Braves won’t be able to have even a single player making the kind of money top-notch players command. It will have to be an entire team made up of people who haven’t played more than 5 or 6 years in MLB or older players who aren’t worth a crap anymore.

The Braves have no problem raising ticket prices, but they surely can’t spend a penny more than the $80 million figure they’ve been stuck at for years. Sorry, but in any business costs of doing business go up year after year, that’s just life.

Now they won’t be able to afford Andruw after this season, they wanna dump Hudson, Giles is probably out the door…who’s gonna be left to play for this team a year or two from now?

Plus, they talk about building within the system but what’s the point if they lose the players they built up once they’ve played a few years?

How will they afford to keep Francour in a couple of years when he wants a nice contract? What about McCann when his price rises?

Are the Braves going to simply train and prepare great talents until they’ve finally reached potential and then dump them one after another? I don’t see any way around it unless payroll increases.

And my final question…how long is the Braves payroll going to sit at $80 million??

It could be a long time before another playoff game is played at Turner Field. It sure would be nice to have the man that field is named for back in charge of signing paychecks.

By Kevin

December 1, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this

Forget Glavine, we don’t to be spending money on Glavine when it can go to improving the team elsewhere. Also Smoltz is the real man and I only hope we get to see him pitch against Glavine sometime this season and watch him dominate the Mets.

By edward

December 1, 2006 10:15 PM | Link to this

Sorry for some of you, but I am still a Tom Glavine fan. He made this team. Yea, it would be nice to see him win 300 with us, but he is close to leaving the game and he went where they actually treated him right and have a chance to go to the World Series. And if you guys wanted to talk about greedy, remember before “golden boy” maddux left? How much did it cost to have him come back to a losing season? $16.5 mil??? That was just for one year!! If I remember correctly, we had a chance to get a good replacement for him when he suddenly decided to take arbitration after holding out. Yea, lets talk about greedy. Glavine has done better than maddux has. Even the Cubbies shipped him out halfway through the season and they needed pitching help!! I hate the Mets, but I love watching Tommy pitch. Just dont win against us Glavine!! A no-decision would be fine by me everytime he faced us.

By Cleanuphitter16

December 1, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this

At this point it looks like Tommy will be entering the Hall wearing a Mets cap. Sickening.

Glavine is quoted in the NY Post as saying: “When I got home and I’m in my own house and I’m in the routine and I’m going to my little guy’s Little League games and going to my daughter’s softball games and going to the hockey games that my kids are playing on and getting out there coaching my 12-year-old’s team, it’s real easy to be like: Boy, life is so much easier with me here and I get to do all this stuff.”

Despite this, he takes his 10.5 + option from the Mets (even after making over $100 million in his career, most of it from the Braves) instead of even waiting a couple more days for an offer from his old team in his hometown. Glavine knew the Braves couldn’t come close, so he took the Met’s money.

But really, what player doesn’t do that these days?

By Dave

December 1, 2006 10:32 PM | Link to this

Whew… bottom line here is that JS had a chance to modestly improve the Braves and seriously weaken the Mets at the same time and couldn’t or wouldn’t pull it off. My reading of various articles today lead me to believe Glavine did want to come back and would have accepted something like $7M with perhaps $2M of that deferred. Remember he would have had severance of $3M from the Mets had he left. It’s pretty obvious JS has a problem with Gravine and vice-versa as a result of the last time around and the book. I’m finally coming to the conclusion that the guy above was right about JS’s arrogance. A call from him to Glavine a day or two ago simply expressing strong interest with a personal touch and outlining what he was hoping to put together would have bought more time, perhaps enough time to get the deal done. I lay this one, like last years bullpen fiasco, at JS’s doorstep. Not that we’ll see him accept responsibility for failure, it doesn’t seem to be in his nature. Have you noticed, not accepting responsibility for failure is pretty common these days.

By chipdip

December 1, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this

glavine wear a strap-on to his sons little league games with a mets logo tattooed on it.

By Ellen

December 1, 2006 10:39 PM | Link to this

Class act from a classy guy. He could have waited, but he promised the Mets he would give them a decision before the winter meetings and that’s exactly what he did. I’m disappointed, but I don’t totally blame the Braves this time. They have payroll constraints and JS couldn’t move someone in time to get Glavine. Of course, if they had done right four years ago, we wouldn’t be worrying about this now. It’s just a shame that 300th win won’t come in a Braves uniform.

By Dave

December 1, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this

We not there yet but the Atlanta Pirates could be in our future. When the TW bosses say jump, JS says how high. There is no indication in anything I’ve read from DOB or the others in the last couple years to suggest or even hint otherwise. Goodbye Andruw, my son and grandson really enjoyed your play here.

By mike

December 1, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this

A real organization would be in the market making moves to improve. Here we are again with no budget to make moves due to this transfer of ownership so the buyers can hide their tax responosibilities. A real organization would have Jeff Francouer down in a developmental league learning how to stay away from sliders on the outside part of the plate versus being on the AJC handing out turkeys and giving us for the story of him and his high school sweat-heart on how he likes his bread toasted and she doesnt. Another indication of organization failure

By T

December 1, 2006 10:59 PM | Link to this

I am glad Glavine is not with the Braves! Last time I was p** off he took the money and ran. He played the Braves then and congrats to JS and the Braves organization for not letting it happen again. This just in: it’s all about Tom Glavine! I’m glad he will not be in a Braves uniform for his 300th. This whole season would have been about him… The Braves made the right choice keeping the classiest guy in the organization in John Smoltz. Praise Smoltz, celebrate him and know that he will not have to take a back seat to a classless, greedy, shady Glavine.

Good riddance!

By phillip

December 1, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this

I am glad he is not coming back. Tom, good riddance, you are a disgrace.

By Jman

December 1, 2006 11:15 PM | Link to this

Good riddance! Go back to your Mets Tommy boy. Too bad the Braves couldnt make an offer, but had Tommy wanted to stay he would have waited until the last minute for an offer. It is ALL about the money! Screw family, screw being at home, screw the team that gave you your start!

By Ahsan

December 1, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this

Thank God! Everybody in the media wants to hail this guy as great, a family man, and a good person or how Mark Bowman says: “Glavine, who is considered to be one of the most respected individuals in all of baseball…” Whats there to respect about the guy? He could save my life and I would have no more respect for the man than I do now. It is clear that he has no desire whatsoever to be a Brave and his greed for money has caused him to move further from his family. Wow, that truly is a great guy. Why don’t we all show him the way out of Atlanta. Are you with me?

By dadgum

December 1, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this

Let me say that I am on this blog simply because the DOB blog isn’t up. Oh well…better things in life to do anyway. First let me say to all Braves fans …. don’t believe Glavine. He is a liar. If he wante dto entertain the Braves seriously he would have waited it out. On top of that who seriously among us…now seriously really OK….wanted the dude. Not me…read many posts and numerous others. The dude is so yesterday. He can take his 300 wins when he is a MET and enter the HALL as a MET. He is a a sellout and I think that some of teh current Braves feel the same way.

Say what you want but Glavine will be forgotten in Braves annuls as teh years progress.

Now time for JS to move and groove. Say goodbye to Andruw and Giles. The big moves are coming and the most obvious is acquiring Dontrelle Willis. Again…our starters have too much baggage and we need starters in the worst way. The Braves will be major players this week and don’t be surprised if JS sends some serious messages. It will take serious bait. I feel that among Renteria, Giles, and AJ that two of them will be gone. Not to mention 4-6 others in some form or another. The Braves are ready for major renovation to acquire cheap young talent where needed. Stay tuned…this will get ugly.

By Nathan (You know, THE IDIOT WITH NO INTEGRITY)

December 1, 2006 11:28 PM | Link to this

People, people, people…..

The 80 MILLION dollar payroll isn’t the problem. It’s the FIVE PLAYERS (Andruw, Chipper, Hampton, Smoltz, Hudson), that are taking up over 50 percent (.625 percent to be a little closer)! That leaves about 30 million dollars for 20 other players.

DO THE MATH!!!! No wait. I’ll do it for you. 30 million divided by 20 players equal about 1.5 million dollars per remaining player. Or to put it in recent value terms: THAT WOULD GET US 2 MONTHS OF JUSTIN SPEIER!!!!

Make no mistake about it. We CAN compete with an 80 million dollar payroll. We just CAN’T compete using the 80 million dollars the way we are right NOW! It’s no different than somebody who lives in a trailer park, drives a 1978 Volare stationwagon and then proceeds to eat Lobster every night for dinner! It’s called managing your budget! Quite frankly when the deals for Hudson, Hampton, Andruw and Chipper were done, I’m sure JS had NO WAY OF KNOWING that 2 of them would A) be fairly worthless & B) the Braves payroll would EVER be an issue.

The good news is this. Hudson and Andruw are as TRADABLE as they ever could be. Yes Andruw has said “no” he aint goin anywhere. But if the right deal arrised for JS and he approached Andruw, (Cha CHING!), I’m sure money would talk, especially if it was speaking to Mr. Bora$$. Hudson all of the sudden seams like a STEAL, except to the team he’s been SUCKING for for the last 2 years.

Draft and develop, Draft and develop. Wash, rince, repeat after me……..

By Joes Smoes

December 1, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this

I blame this one on JS the supposed genius of the Braves. I think he has lost a ton of class.

HOF’er knocking on his door, and he doesn’t even answer.

If JS had at least mentioned to Tommy what was on his mind, then maybe Tom would have waited. But instead…. He chooses to ignore Tommy. This reminds me of the Maddox story from a few years back.

I think JS ignores them, so he doesn’t have to do anything besides go to ritzy meetings and eat mini cocktail sausages.

But what really ticks me off is that all the bandwagon’ers bash Tommy, for simply going where he was wanted. The Mets were first class in how they handled the deal, and I hate the Mets. Props to them for actually allowing Tommy to take the time to make a choice.

Braves blow chunks again this year. Since 1991, how many World Series rings has the supposed Genus of JS given the Braves? His budget is not gimpy, and in the past he had the second or third highest payroll in baseball to work with. I say ditch JS and Bobby, there useless.

By kinley

December 1, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this

Well, Schuerholz could really only work with what he was given. Which wasn’t a whole lot, as far as the total amount of money he could offer Glavine goes.

As much as I’m disappointed about Glavine’s decision, it was his decision to make, so I can’t blame the guy for doing what he thought was best.

By The Oracle at Britney's Naked Beaver

December 1, 2006 11:52 PM | Link to this

The Oracle at Britney’s Naked Beaver says no Tommy Glavine.

By TG

December 2, 2006 12:10 AM | Link to this

If playing at home was Glavine’s priority, he could have told the Braves he’ll play for a million.

But in the end, just like it was in 2002, it was about the money.

And I’m a Mets fan. Even so, I still wish he’d never left the Braves in 2002. I miss the era where many players played for one team their whole careers. Glavine could have, and should have been, one of those players, but instead he made it all about getting $10 million more on top of the $90 million he alreay got.

By john

December 2, 2006 12:21 AM | Link to this

When are the AJC sports writers going to stand up to the Time Warner/Liberty Garbage. It is obvious that they could care less about owning a major league baseball team. It is apparent that this team is heavily restricted by payroll. We lose Glavine not once, but twice. It is an extreme possibility that one of, if not the best center fielder ever will not be able to re-sign. what do these jerks care? not at all. write a damn article!

By JJ

December 2, 2006 12:23 AM | Link to this

TOM GLAVINE IS DEAD TO ME

By Fire John Schuerholz

December 2, 2006 12:28 AM | Link to this

THEY DIDN’T EVEN MAKE HIM AN OFFER!!!!!!!! DAMN YOU JOHN SCHUERHOLZ!!! How the hell can we expect to get better if our GM is gonna spend all winter with his head up his a*? His “big” plans will probably end up being minor-league trades with the Royals and/or Rockies, and signing free agents who are 39-years old and near retirement (Jordan, Remlinger, etc.). You know they will resign Jordan, it’s inevitable. But letting Glavine go without an attempt to resign him is yet another repeat of all the crap we saw in 2003, when Lopez, Maddux, Sheffield, and Castilla signed with other teams without even seeing an offer from the Braves (The Lopez issue still p** me off to this day. How do you not try to resign a player who hit 43 home runs and drove in 109 runs while batting over .300, not to mention also being a superb defender?). The fact of the matter is that John Schuerholz has passed his prime, and is becoming increasingly carefree and ignorant of the Braves needs.

By Nathan (You know, THE IDIOT WITH NO INTEGRITY)

December 2, 2006 12:47 AM | Link to this

Fire John Schuerholz

I was with you (well not really), right up to the point where you said this:

“(The Lopez issue still p* me off to this day. How do you not try to resign a player who hit 43 home runs and drove in 109 runs while batting over .300, not to mention also being a superb defender?).”*

NOT TO MENTION ALSO BEING A SUPERB DEFENDER??????

Are you KIDDING me!?

By Joseph

December 2, 2006 01:23 AM | Link to this

Why in the heck would we trade Tim Hudson and/or Marcus Giles for Tom Glavine? I’m glad it didn’t work out. NY can have him.

By Ken Stallings

December 2, 2006 01:30 AM | Link to this

I think this just stinks! One of the best pitchers in the modern era practically begged the Braves to make just a reasonable offer to return home, and the Braves organization stiff armed him!

Ted Turner as an owner turned out to be one of the best things to happen to the Braves in Atlanta. Ted Turner selling the Braves to AOL has turned out to be one of the worst things to happen to the Braves in Atlanta!

The Braves will increase ticket prices and will give us less product quality to see on the field. Few industries survive in this manner. And, John S. is also living on borrowed renown. He pulled off some great deals in the past, but whether his own sense of stubbornness, or a complete shackling by the AOL owners, he is failing miserably of late.

By FalconWithPaperBagonMyhead

December 2, 2006 01:32 AM | Link to this

When he makes the Hall of Fame it will be deservedly so. All I am asking is that he wear a Mets hat when he does so. Tommy, you were never worthy of wearing a Braves hat.

By Chris

December 2, 2006 01:46 AM | Link to this

The best way we can send a message is to simply stop attending Braves games until ownership raises the payroll. Why should we pay good money to watch a team that doesn’t raise its payroll in 5 years but has no problem raising its ticket prices.

By B Toups

December 2, 2006 02:12 AM | Link to this

To all who pick on Tom for being “Mr. Union”-

Picture this. You are a baseball player in his early forties. You only have a few years left at best. What would you want to do? #1: GET PAID.

Yes, I agree that money isn’t the only thing but it still is very important. And when JS doesn’t even make him an offer, should he wait “holding out hope” that his hometown team would make him a competetive offer?

That being said, JS a few years ago in my opinion made the calculation that Questech (sic) would make both Glavine and Maddux less effective, and that analysis has been accurate at least in part.

Tom Glavine got a great offer from the Mets, and he took it. Don’t be a hater towards someone for making a RATIONAL decision.

It is union-haters like you that have contributed to the decline of manufacturing jobs in the US and the decline in wages of American workers.

By Neil

December 2, 2006 02:23 AM | Link to this

Tom Glavine was only behind Johan Santana (AL Cy Young Winner) in number of games won by his team in games that he started.We had a chance to cripple the NL EAST DIVISION WINNER METS (u reading John S.!) to bring back one of our own who never wanted to leave in the first place and was even willing to accept a hometown discount to become an Atlanta Brave again.We should have given him the no-trade which im sure the Jones Boys and Smoltzie wouldnt have minded as long as we brought back a winner to atlanta.John S screwed up BIG time and i don’t see us overcoming the Mets this year either because of it..kudos MORON!

By tyler

December 2, 2006 03:19 AM | Link to this

There is no way the Atlanta Braves are going to find a comparable pitcher to Glavine this offseason that would be willing to accept the discounted rate that he was up for. Does J.S. really think that there are players out there craving to play for the Braves. Well news flash….they are not the symbol of excellence they once were. Glavine would have been a great addition (his 3.8 era last year would have been second on our staff). It really is becoming exhausting to be a Braves fan. I understand that a lot of it has to do with the ownership that has limited out payroll (and limited our team) for the last several years, but the Braves could have had Glavine…the Braves could have used Glavine….and J.S. blew it. Would it have been too much to ask to really give it our all this year (being that in many ways the Braves are only going to suffer more this time next year with Andruw gone and Smoltz a free agent). And please everyone stop talking about how rich our farm system is. We’ll get plenty of opportunities to see it in the near future being that we no longer sign free agents!

By Seunghan Nam

December 2, 2006 03:37 AM | Link to this

I don’t hate him. I don’t really care. I don’t care if it is a tactic to get more money from mets. But why do you want to come here anyway? For only family? WE DON’T NEED YOU FOR JUST FAMILY. YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS FAMILY IN DIFFERENT STATE. AT LEAST YOU MADE 100 MILLIONS.

We need people who wants to be a brave then we can talk about money. If that’s not the case please f**k off.

The matter of fact is that there are ups and downs. We don’t have to win all the time. If we win every god d**n world series, we will hate you.

Even in the world of busienss, there are fundamental principles. Tommy wants to come here for his family. We are not your babysitter. Good job, JS.

By Seunghan Nam

December 2, 2006 03:38 AM | Link to this

Also I am very unpleasant that a player is dragging us this much.

By RBG

December 2, 2006 04:59 AM | Link to this

if not for the increase in ticket prices for next yr one would think that the Braves front office has been closed for the winter…

By Vikingsouth

December 2, 2006 06:36 AM | Link to this

I think it says everything that the Braves adidn’t even make Glavine an offer despite his willingness to come here for less money. JS must have REALLY not wanted him. I don’t really understand why, unless it’s personal. Glavine probably never wanted to leave in the first place and was probably pushed out the door. I’m trying to keep positive and assume that the Braves are confident that Ramirez, Hampton, et al can come back and that the James and Davies can really pitch. The Bravea are among the best at developing young pitchers. Maybe there’s a kid with a 6.90 ERA in the mnors who they like who’s about to break out. Who knows? On the surface though, it looks dim. Let’s give JS the benfit of the doubt. He’s been right more than wrong, the Braves have great scouts and evaluators, and one the best farm systems.

By John

December 2, 2006 06:49 AM | Link to this

I would not have minded seeing Glavine finish his career with the Braves, then again, I’m not disappointed he stayed with the Mets either. My biggest concern for the Braves has nothing to do with Glavine. It’s JS. I have a feeling after he said “We won’t be as active in the winter meetings now”, probably means we’ll see almost the exact same roster we did last year, or worse. I love this team, like all of my ATL teams…but I have a feeling this off-season will be one of disappointment, along with the regular season if JS doesn’t do something constructive this week. If nothing else, please get Giles out of a Braves uniform.

By Haywood Jablome

December 2, 2006 07:06 AM | Link to this

You guys all need to buck up, the jilted lover sh** is starting to wear me out. Baseball is a business. That’s why JS won’t get undercut in a trade to make room for Tom, that’s why Tom won’t offer a “hometown discount”, that’s why JS won’t give in on a no-trade clause, etc, etc.

Tom is a 41 year soft-tosser whose best years are behind him. The Mets are backing up the Brinks truck for him because they have to…we don’t!! Let’s focus on acquiring young talent for the future instead of a slick businessman born during the friggin LBJ administration!! P.S.: Wait til next year when Andruw does the exact same thing.

By Dave in Tampa

December 2, 2006 07:35 AM | Link to this

You people complaining about Glavine and making negative comments on him are a bunch of Losers!. The Braves were never interested in signing him. Not even an offer. Tom knows he has only one or two more years left. He needs 10 wins for 300 and the most important thing is….. the Mets made him a great offer. Would you losers bad mouthing Glavine turn 10.5 Mil down. I think not.

Get off his case losers. I would have loved to see him in a Braves Uni again, but it just did not work out. People that bad mouth Glavive have no class and know nothing about the game of baseball. I would even bet that you never played organized ball before in you life.

By BigDaddy

December 2, 2006 08:05 AM | Link to this

JS’s arrogance has cost the Braves again. Players, agents and other teams no longer respect the Brave’s organization. 0.500 is out of the question this year.

By Metropolitan Man

December 2, 2006 08:31 AM | Link to this

You braves fans should be mad at JS, not Glavine on this one. What J.S just did was miss an opportunity to weaken the METS like Minaya did when he signed J. Franco away from the braves. Its not all about just signing or keeping the best players, but also taking quality away from your rivals. Dont know what Glavines true intentions were but all I know is that JS seems to not really care for Glavine anymore. Anyway I’m ok with him signing but I think it will sting a little also. This signing takes away for Minaya’s rush to sure up the starting rotation. There is no telling who he will settle for now banking that El duque and Glavine give us the same or better than last year. This Glavine guy seems to cause more problems than he solved. Granted the METs havent spent much, but every year you can count on the METS, stankees, sox and now the up and coming teams to land a big name. Everybody but those bravos.

By ray

December 2, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this

Unfortunately Tom Glavine is not going to retire wearing a Braves uniform. I do not like the Mets at all but admittedly they showed class allowing Glavine to attempt to finish his career home with the Braves. Tom, MY 11 year old son and I wish you a great season.. just not the rest of your team. You and John Smoltz are his two favorite players. He chooses #47 on for his baseball jersey. He only looks at baseball as the game not the business as any 11 year old should. We would have loved to watch you finish your career in a Braves uniform but it takes two sides for that to happen. Good luck on your season and congrats on winning your 300 ahead of time. Go Braves. Ray

By scott

December 2, 2006 09:18 AM | Link to this

Although I’m somewhat disappointed that we could not see Tom win #300 in a Braves uniform, I’m not ready to crucify JS just yet as many bloggers seem to want to do. Haywood was right on earlier with his comments. What am furious over is the greedy corporate foot dragging on the sale of the team. AOL/TIME WARNER/LIBERTY should be carpet-bombed into oblivion! The only reason this is taking so long is so that some CEO can save 10$ on his taxes while he water skis behind his yacht off Cape Cod with a congnac in his hand. Corporations owning sports teams is the worst idea since Dan Kolb.

By Alex

December 2, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

Dave in Tampa why don’t you and Tom just get a room? What don’t you understand about people who don’t like Tom Glavine anymore and that didn’t want him on this Braves team again?

The guy went to the Braves biggest rivals! Let me put it to you this way…Would Boston welcome back Johnnie Damon? That’s called being a true passionate fan about your team. I was probably the biggest Tom Glavine fan when he pitched for us…had all the baseball cards, the jersey, the poster, etc. Then he went to the Mutts. He became the enemy, and there is no turning back. He chose to sell his soul for more money. Now all I hope is that he ends up somehow with 299 wins at the end of this season!

As a Braves fan first and foremost, nobody is above the team, not even the man who helped them with their only WS title back in 1995.

If Glavine had gone to a team like the Red Sox, I wouldn’t have been as upset, but not the hated Mutts. No way do you go to the NY Mutts and then get a pass when you want to return to the Braves.

By Lynn

December 2, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this

Again JS is full of BS!!! We could have had Glavine back if he would have made an offer! What a line of BS that he was trying to make room with trades, etc…if he was serious he would have made some sort of offer to Glavine anyway. Glavine again did the only thing he could do…accept a sure thing instead of dead silence and a maybe offer.I sure hope JS is making money off of his book because he has lost his touch as a GM. Tommy…we really wanted you back!!!

By ripme

December 2, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this

The same thing I said last winter. The Braves are no going to do anything important anymore till * AOL TIME WARNER-Liberty etc is gone. Look what the did to the Hawks, they killed them and now they are killing the Braves* the fans have no voice except to stay home and don’t buy tickets. The Braves will be lucky to finish 4th next year. God Bless Major league Baseball and all its rich children.

By Metropolitan Man

December 2, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

Wow, whoever thought 1 guy could divide a city. Well its over, METS fans are ok with it but we still think both teams got shafted by the crafty Glavine. METS fans THINK we got what we wanted and braves fans feel they got rejceted either by Glavine or JS. Either way, he has to pitch against you guys and you have a chance to make him pay. If he has 2003 type season again for the METS, we will make him pay. Either way 10.5 million might wont buy happiness when the place you call home doesnt think you are worth that anymore.

By Bruce

December 2, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

David O’Brien reported just after midnight on Tuesday night… “John did tell me that as of Tuesday afternoon, nothing _ no trade or free-agent signing _ was imminent, though he said that could certainly change with one phone call at any time.”

Then DOB reports in Friday night AJC article…”Glavine said he and his wife Christine made the decision on Wednesday to return to the Mets, but waited to see if anything would change Thursday or Friday.” Remember he has been thinking about this for a long time and it was public knowledge since mid season.

So if nothing was imminent Tuesday night, it was reasonable for Glavine to make a decision on Wednesday. But then he “waited to see if anything would change on Thursday or Friday”.

In the meantime, the Mets made him an offer either at his request or not and the Braves apparently thought they had through or into the weekend to make an offer, informal or formal. Glavine afterwards said it was by the weekend, apparently to the surprise of the Braves after they had worked for weeks and were planning to keep working even into the winter meetings if Glavine was willing to let it go that long.

I wonder if there was sufficient communication on deadlines or whether there were deadline assumptions that either changed or were not valid. Or, I wonder if the Braves had 24-36 hours more or a different tone Tuesday night there might have made a different outcome. Yet, these do not seem to be the types of mistakes that veterans (Shuerholz & Glavine) make.

But remember just this past Tuesday night, Glavine wanted the Braves and the Braves wanted Glavine.

Braves were hoping something would happen during the weekend, but were also preparing to aggressively make it happen during the winter meetings, but Tom had said he would decide before the meetings so as not to leave the Mets hanging (or consequentally himself)…

So my take is both tried and it just did not come together by Glavine’s (possibly revised) deadline. If Glavine shortened his deadline by two plus days, without telling the Braves, then that is a shame. But, if both sides were fully informed about the prospects and timing, I congratulate them both for trying. It sure would have been fun.

One more spin… once Glavine expressed to the Mets that he wanted to consider returning to the Braves, the Braves should have been allowed to at least informally tell him whether the Braves were interested without it being tampering. (Call it the Glavine rule) With that knowledge, Glavine might have come to a different timeline agreement with the Mets and all three parties could still be trying to make a deal. Maybe Christmas would have been the different deadline and we would have had a different outcome.

By Metz fan

December 2, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

There are very few of us who would NOT go where the $ is. If Shuerholz did offer TG a contract, it must have been at a lower value than what the Metz offered.

By Maine Braves Fan

December 2, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this

Tom Glavine is a old run down player just trying to make his last buck. If he really wanted to be with his family he woud have called the braves himself and talked to him. Screw glavine and if I wanted anyone from teh past it would have to be Maddux. I always thought maddux was better than glavine. But I do agree with everyone elses blog about glavine. He is old and me living up in maine. I heard the FAN talking about the mutts and they people calling in were like why did we resign him when we could get barry zido. So when I look at this signing I say good for mets because maybe the mets wont get ZIDO.

By Ben

December 2, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

As a Met fan, I would like to thank JS for allowing up the thrill of seeing a home team pitcher win his 300th game. All you folks who call Glavine a traitor for taking the deal with more money … why don’t you go to your bosses on Monday and accept a 20% pay cut. Do you really think if the Braves offered equal money and terms that he would have turned down Atlanta. You boys are just a bunch of cheapos.

By Ben

December 2, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

I second that. You Braves fans and owners are just a bunch of cheapos.

By Jeff

December 2, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

Glavine is a sure Hall of Famer, but he’ll be forty-one at the start of next season. Unlike Clemens or Smoltz, he’s never thrown hard, relying instead on finesse. When finesse pitchers get older and lose whatever velocity they had, they become, for all intents and purposes, batting practice pitchers.

Glavine may squeeze another year out of his arm, but at his age, given his style of pitching, the drop off in performance can be dramatic.

I don’t know. Rather than patching up the Braves for “one more run,” management needs to make this team younger and healthier. Better to position the Braves for future runs than to fill the sqaud with retreads and the walking wounded in hopes of just one more division title.

By Sherry L.

December 2, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this

I think it is a shame that Glavine will nt return to the Braves. He is my favorite baseball player and has been since he began. He really wanted to come back, but the Braves didn’t even make him an offer. J.S. could have made him an informal offerr, so that Glavine would know they were interested. Who can blame him for going back to the Mets? They treated him with respect, unlike J.S. The Braves will do the same thing they did when he first left - they waited until it’s too late, then they will say they were gonna offer him a great deal. I think some of you people are so immature. Tell me you would not want to work for another company who not only offered you more money, but you respected you and made you feel appreciated? I really wanted Glavine to return to Atlanta for his 300th and to retire as a Brave, but J.S. did not even make that an option for Glavine. So, I think he made the only decision he could make. Good luck Glavine, I will continue to cheer you on until you retire!!

By thad

December 2, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

glavine is a jerk. if he wanted to be in atlanta he would be there. the braves made it known that they couldnt afford 11 mil a year and he knew that. the braves could only afford arount 5. he is not going to lower himself to that. he has forgotten what its like to be a real person. there is no one alive that deserves to get that kind of money to play a game.

By Paul Hamilton

December 2, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

I’m so glad we didn’t bring Glavine back, he sold out already so he lost my vote from that point forward. This was all a publicity stunt for Mr. Glavine to get his name in the news one last time. This team has bigger needs than starting pitching, concentrate on the big picture JS.

By Fire John Schuerholz

December 2, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

Sorry I should have reworded that. The Lopez issue p** me off until Brian McCann showed that he’s one of the best.

By Paul Hamilton

December 2, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this

Ben,

We are not the Muts. We have a limited payroll jackass. We made Tom Glavine the highest paid pitcher in baseball at one time, so take your cheapo remarks to TIME WARNER. You can’t go anywhere in this country without a big mouth muts fans talking trash.

By Joe Smoe

December 2, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this

The problem is with JS and Cox without a doubt, and it always has been. Since 91, we have gained respect, and been a laughing stock of baseball at the same time.

How many World Series did they bring the Braves?

I see many people ranting that Atlanta needs a non-limited payroll once again. I personally feel that the current management couldn’t buy the World Series, even if they tried!!! and for many years they did try.

Year… Braves Payroll… Rank 2006… $90.2 million… ninth 2005… $86.4 million… 10th 2004… $90.2 million… eighth 2003… $106.2 million… third 2002… $93.5 million… seventh 2001… $91.9 million… sixth 2000… $82.7 million… fourth 1999… $75 million… third 1998… $59.5 million… third 1997… $50.5 million… fifth 1996.. $47.9 million… third 1995… $45.1 million… third 1994… $40.5 million… third 1993… $38.1 million… seventh 1992… $33 million… 11th 1991… $20.4 million… 20th

Look at the 15 mill payroll of the Marlins last year… they had one win less then the 90 million dollar payroll of the Braves last year.

Look closer at the Marlins since 91 and note they also won 2 World Series since that period? All with less payroll. Atlanta had a much more constant payroll, a impressive farm team system that is the envy of most teams, a incredible stadium, and the support of its fans. But still have achieved less then the Marlins over the same period!!

JS and BC are not genius’s there a just plain lucky. Can you trade a GM?

By matt

December 2, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

Yeah it’s probably a good thing we didn’t get him. I mean, who would want two future Hall of Fame pitchers in the same rotation?!?

By Jordan

December 2, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

Glavine, like many other multi-mega-millionaire baseball players, simply cares only about the dollars.

My props go to Chipper and Smoltz who have stuck to their committment to the Braves, even when the Braves weren’t promising them mega-contracts.

By rwl

December 2, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this

It’s time to move on and allow the young pitchers a chance. Maybe not signing Glavine will allow the Braves to develope the next jason schmidt or kevin millwood without having to face them after being traded for a role player for a year.

By BravesFaninRockies

December 2, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this

Nathan is right. The payroll’s too top-heavy now and will probably be for at least one more year (unless we trade Andruw for several lower-dollar players). Give JS some slack. He can’t control the payroll. And as someone pointed out on another blog, TW may not be able to raise the payroll while the sale is pending.

Besides, the Giants just signed Dave Roberts for 3 years, $18 mm. He’s a good player, but he’s 35, he’s never played more than 130 games in a season because of injuries, and he’s going to a club that probably gets a bulk discount on AARP memberships.

In the current market, I don’t blame JS for refusing to drink the Kool-Aid. I look forward to the deals he can work out next week.

By Braves20

December 2, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

Hey, here’s a thought John. You sign Glavine thereby building the gate as he marches towards 300 (and the team to a return of credibility). You can still peddle Hudson next week, next month or even at the break. I wonder who would put more fans in the seats with each start, a guy nearing 300 wins or a guy guarenteed to make it through the fifth - most games. And this doesn’t even take into account the mentoring Glavine could offer Chuck James. Let’s just sit back and see who has the better numbers in ‘07 Mr. Glavine or Mr. Hudson. I know where my money is.

By Don

December 2, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this

Braves20, Right on target, Mr. Arrogance acted like he was handcuffed when in fact, he had days, weeks, months to make the Galvine signing work. I wanted to see the pursuit for 300 since we also bailed out oon Maddux and missed his pursuit as well. But no, we signed the declining Hudson and have neither Maddux or Glavine.

By Rob

December 2, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

I live in Connecticut and one of about 5 die hard Braves fans here. Don’t worry, people hate him in Greenwich as well. Many tell me he’s aloof, arrogant, low class and doesn’t display what someone who is worth in excess of $100 million dollars should. Understand, in case you don’t know Greenwich, it is in the top three wealthiest towns in per capta income in the entire USA. To put it into perspective, HE”s considered “middle class” so he has nothing to be aloof about in Greenwich… They want him OUT and wish he’d move to Westchester County, NY…

By Mr. Met

December 2, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

Since Tommy made a conscious effort to throw inside in July 2005, he’s been money. In Glavine’s last 49 starts he’s 23-13 with a 3.31 ERA. Mets signed him for $7M for 2007 with a $3M buyout and an option for 2008. If you Brave fans want to trash Glavine’s ‘character’(because you all know him personally) fine, but calling him ‘washed-up’ is just plain ignorant of facts.

By Nathan (You know, THE IDIOT WITH NO INTEGRITY)

December 2, 2006 12:49 PM | Link to this

To all of you people b*tching about JS not making an offer, formal or informal, look at it this way.

Have you ever thought you had some money coming in and “jumped the gun” on a BIG purchase (house, new car, ANYTHING you can’t by with one bill at Wal-Mart), then “somthing” happens and you DON’T HAVE THE MONEY COMING IN YOU THOUGHT YOU DID? Why do you think that EVERYDAY there is a house on the market or a “just like new car, with low milage” for sale. PEOPLE OVER EXTEND THEMSELVES AND CAN’T PAY THEIR BILLS.

JS has expressed that without clearing some payroll (I assume that’s what he was trying to do, by attempting to move Hudson and Giles), before MAKING AN OFFER to Glavine. Had he made an offer to Glavine and then all of the sudden Hudson isn’t “movable”, then what? Answer that, for me. THEN WHAT? Maybe the money just “appears” in his stocking on Christmas Morning? Or maybe you people are naive enough to think ownership would just say “oh well, you tried to trim payroll to make up for your free agent pick up, NO BIGGY!” NOT EVEN CLOSE PEOPLE! He would either get fired as GM or be forced to DUMP payroll for little or nothing. Remember Millwood for Estrada? Sure hindsight says that deal didn’t turn out so bad. But when other GM’s KNOW THAT YOU HAVE TO DUMP SALARY, they have the upperhand and you aren’t going to get “market value” for the players you are trying to dump. (similar to what JS did to other GM’s in the 90’s with McGriff and Neagle).

Now if you want to argue JS’s reasoning for not just DUMPING Hudson, go ahead. If he truely was trying to rid the Braves of Hudson’s contract. He (so far) has failed. IMO, I would rather have had Glavine over Hudson, so if it took “DUMPING” Hudson, just to rid ourselved of the money in order to obtain Glavine’s services, by ALL MEANS, Hudson should’ve been traded to the first team bidding for him, that was willing to take on his contract.

But having said that, if Hudson is not traded, I believe that all of the trade talk should motivate him to have a better year than he has the last two. But I’ll believe that when I see it.

By darrin

December 2, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

i think money is right on both sides if you want loyalty then look at smoltzie if ypu want stupidity look at time warner and if you want genious talk to the drays and get c.crawford and then trade andruw to the white sox now im not much of a borASS fan but mark teixiera wouldlook better at first than lazyroche and huddy would look better in houston and the hell outta here j.s. isnt missing any boat all you guyas who dont pay one red cent at the gate to go into turner field can talk but until your sorry asses start showing up dont complain about payroll.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Matt

December 2, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

The Braves are a joke! They had NO intentions what-so-ever of signing Glavin. They just want you to think they did so you think they are trying to improve when they are really cutting, cutting, cutting and losing, losing and losing.

This organization has SUCKED for 6 years now. The stupidity is now catching up to them.

Welcome back to the 80’s!

By siesta

December 2, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this

A “selfish traitor”???? You people smoking crack??

He would be a selfish traitor if he did not get the most money for his wife and kids. Would you go work at Coke for 30% less than you are making now? If not, YOU are a selfish traitor to Atlanta based on your intelligence level. Must be UGA grads. All beer and no brains!

Get a brain people!

By Ryan

December 2, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this

Glavine is a class act; there’s absolutely no way he was faking this deliberation to make more money and/or make Atlanta look bad. Braves’ front office did that last part on their own. It’s a shame they didn’t make an offer. I suspect they were hoping to hold out until today so as to retain draft picks. Now look what it cost: losing an excellent pitcher, who would’ve (had to have) taken a hometown discount.

By SAL

December 2, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this

Not a big deal. Really if Braves chances depend on a 40-something lefty in maybe 35 games out of 162 then it is a no-never mind proposition to me. They will not be contenders.

If Braves are going to stick with an $80 million payroll year after year, the inflation keeps eating away at the real dolar limit on the payroll. If you want $50+ million for a position players named Jones and two or three starters, you get left with no ability to do major improvements.

Braves are stuck with it all being about a never changing budget. Either you spend the cash or you accept the Marlin concept of develop young players, win a couple of years, than dismantle and start over. Unfortunately, the Braves are stuck in the middle with no payroll flexibity and no intention of unloading big salaries and cycling between winning and being really bad.

By MetsfaninATL

December 2, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this

Thank you Tom Glavine. As a Mets fan, you have grown on us over the last few years. I’ll be cheering you on at the Ted in 2007 when my team, the Mets, come to visit. So from this Mets fan…a big thanks. Disregard the negative comments from the Braves fans. We all know the team up north has class! Lets Go Mets!!!!!

By Joe Smoe

December 2, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this

Nathan-

I understand what you are trying to say, but I do not agree it is so hard lined.

One thing JS does, is not give a no trade claws. Now with that in mind understand that this years market it is very high priced. Even H Ram would get stupid amounts of money on the open market. He could swing more payroll of all years, this year, very easily. Eaton even got a crazy contract, and he is a 4th/5th pitcher at best. If Tommy was on the open market, even at 40 years of age, He would presumably command 12.5 - 13 million a year. But was offering a deep discount for the Braves. The Braves could couple many different options ranging from farm team players, to position type players to make it happen. This is baseball, not a credit card limit. TW surely knows that the cap will be 80 million before the season begins. JS has many options at his fingertips, more then just a billfold. He has a credit system, called talent.

Then take the fact that JS didn’t even begin to talk money with Glavine, never once really showed interest other then a few “pleasant conversations”. JS has done this in the past, with many things he doesn’t want to trade for. He knew well in advance that Tommy was going to try to come to Atlanta. This was not a split second choice for Tommy. But to get no real effort in return by JS, singled that he was not wanted. If he wanted Tommy, Tommy would have listened, and more then likely waited , and worked it out. But JS didn’t ask for that.

Then just like in the past, he lays out some public rep lines, such as, “It’s very disappointing, We wish we could have gotten him back. We tried hard. It just didn’t work.” Just so the fans don’t get angry at him for not making a effort on something. Its damage control. Action speaks louder then words.

If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice. So Tommy made the choice for him.

Pitching wins championships.

By MetsfaninATL

December 2, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

Thank you Tom Glavine. Disregard all the disrespectful Braves fans in this Blog. We all know the team up north has more class!I will be cheering you hard in 2007 at the Ted. Here’s to a 2007 World Series Championship! Lets go Mets!!!!

By Joe Smoe

December 2, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

Sal…

I agree with you, we as Braves fans have been stuck in the middle for so many years. We have allowed the payroll to be limited to such few players, and never rebuilding from the ground up.

I sometimes wish the Braves would have used the 80 million payrolls while pulling a Marlins rebuild. Simply going after nothing but young talent. Then adding key peices every year about 1/3 of the way in, if the team is doing well.

I was so sick of watching the Braves go to the playoffs, and knowing they will loose in the first round.

By jim

December 2, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this

Never about money with Glavine….Yeah, right!! He’s made more money than you know who in his career and he’s still wanting more…jeez. The Braves will have as good a chance as the Mets next season. Believe me the Braves will turn it around with Bobby and John. Glavine was all talk about putting his family first at this point in his career. Way to alienate your remaining fan base in Atlanta Tom. Shoud’ve gotten 300 here and retire here. Braves will probably be classy and sign you to a one year contract when your arms about to fall off and then you decide to retire as a Brave, but by that time noone will really care.

By Nathan (You know, THE IDIOT WITH NO INTEGRITY)

December 2, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

Call my FAITH in JS blind, or call it something else! LOL!

But I firmly believe that he’s (JS) got other things in mind. Not sure what they are, but he always seems to surprise us. Last year’s Bob Wickman negotiations aside, he rarley let’s us down. Hell, as it turns out (don’t shoot me), Reitsma MIGHT HAVE been alright, had he not been injured. I’m still not convinced that with the LACK of experienced bullpen help out there, that we don’t low ball Reitsma and “see what he’s got” in Spring Training. Obviously in a set-up roll.

I just believe that DEEP DOWN, (no matter what he says publically), JS must not have really felt the need or desire to bring Tommy back. Next October we can look back (maybe sooner) and judge whether we are upset or RELIEVED that Tommy isn’t in a Braves uniform.

Like I said before, if Hudson has a pair in those pants anywhere, and ANY self pride (which I’m sure he does - my guess is that he’s as disappointed in his Braves performances as ALL OF US), he’ll have a good year. Would I bet on it? Probably not. But I can’t say that maybe Reitsma will “bounce back” and in the same post say that Hudson doesn’t stand a chance, can I?

If JS, is to blame for anything, my guess is it should be for ASKING FOR TOO MUCH for Tim Hudson. If he REALLY thought that Glavine was the answer and Hudson wasn’t part of the longterm future, then WHY NOT just get rid of him for the “payroll relief”? I mean, really. We’d be clearing payroll by trading Hudson, and adding talent in Tom Glavine, isn’t that kinda like “getting” Tom Glavine in return for Hudson? That’s what doesn’t make sence to me.

It’s not 1993 anymore. You can’t trade Melvin Nieves for Fred McGriff. Sometimes you have to give to get. Can’t WAIT to see what happens to this team, after 2007 IF Hudson doesn’t return to “form”. I don’t care if average pitchers (like Eaton) are going for ridiculous dollars or not. 13 Million for a guy not performing when your budget is 80 million, isn’t a good fit. I think Hudson’s season (if he has a good year and is tradeable) is what decides whether we keep Andruw or not. Unless no young pitchers come up to stay in the rotation. If we don’t find other starters, Hudson must stay. I suppose Hampton falls into that category too.

Take a look into the crystal ball:

If BOTH Hudson and Hampton struggle this year, causing both to be untradable. In 2008 we will have essentially 26 million dollars (32.5 percent), of our 80 million payroll TIED UP into 2 worthless pitchers!

YIKES!

By jim

December 2, 2006 02:07 PM | Link to this

Smoltz has long surpassed Glavine, Murphy, and even Aaron as Mr. Brave. Previous 3 all left Atlanta at some point. I don’t foresee Smoltzie as ever leaving. He knows his potential legacy here as all time face of the Braves.

By keep it short

December 2, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this

Guys, keep the comments under Gone with the Wind novel lenghth. Makes for easier reading and commenting. Sincerely, Tolstoy.

By Nathan (You know, THE IDIOT WITH NO INTEGRITY)

December 2, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this

Sal

You are dead on! I’ve been saying it for months, no wait, YEARS!

Remember the Boston Celtics of the 80’s. They “hung on” to Parrish, Bird, Ainge, McHale Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long, and paid the price. It took the YEARS to get back to respectablity.

Look at the New England Patriots, (yeah, they might be the exception, not the rule), but THEY know when to sign a player long term or when to let them go.

Here’s what it comes down to people. In order to rebuild, you must be willing to cut ties with fan favorites. Too many people today root for the name on the back of the jersey, instead of the name on the front. I’m a Braves fan. Always have been, always will be. I may long for the days of Glavine, Avery, Smoltz, Maddux ans so on. Hell, I long for the days of Dale Murphy and Bob Horner too! But EVEN in the late 80’s when there was NOBODY to root for, I still did. I’m an Orlando Magic fan. Was I bummed out when Shaq left? Yup. But I sure as hell wasn’t going to be a Lakers fan! I root for the team NO MATTER WHO’S ON IT.

Unfortuneately due to the burden of Chippers, Hampton’s, and after next year, Hudson’s contracts. This team is in for a LONG couple of years. Unless the younger talent shines and CARRIES THIS team, despite the age/health of it’s aging (EXPENSIVE) veterans. The problem is not in having these guys on the team, it’s in continuing to give them the ball, or their spot in the lineup when they CAN’T be counted on. The Patriots won the Super Bowl with Tom Brady at QB. If I recall correctly they had a VERY EXPENSIVE QB in Drew Bledsoe on the bench. (due to injury - but on the bench none the less). Don’t compound BAD CONTRACTS by continuing to play the guys you are overpaying, in the HOPE that they will reward the team with an occasionally great performance. If it’s time to move on. MOVE ON. If nobody will take on their contract. BENCH THEM.

I mean seriously. I don’t care if Hudson is making 6 million, 13 million or 35 million a year. If there is another pitcher on the team, that gives us a better chance to win THAT DAY. Sit Hudson on the pine, and let the other guy pitch. Like I said…..DON’T COMPOUND A BAD CONTRACT BY CONTINUING TO PLAY THE GUY WITH THE BAD CONTRACT.

Would it be ridiculous to have a 10 million dollar pinch hitter in Chipper Jones? Absolutely. But not as ridiculous as EXPECTING HIM TO CONTRIBUTE FOR A FULL SEASON. We need depth, quality depth. Until some of the dead weight contracts are gone, we will have the kind of depth and bullpen we’ve had the last two years: WASHED UP (Remlinger) and inexperienced (Devine), both come real cheap, but the PRICE WE PAY isn’t so cheap is it?

I love Andruw. Would love to see him finish his career with the Braves. But I don’t like him THAT MUCH as to have to watch a horrible team for the next 5 years (because we wouldn’t be able to afford one with him on the roster), just so I could watch Andruw Jones watch 450 foot homeruns fly over his head, you see, pitching costs money too.

At this point, I would LOVE IT. If JS held a press conference tomorrow saying, Hudson, Hampton, Chipper, Andruw, (Smoltz can stay, because he deserves to - I suppose Chipper deserves to also, but he’s too pricey) were ALL TRADED for prospects and young talent. If I’m gonna watch the Braves miss the playoffs like I did last year, at least give me somthing to build on (Francoeur, McCann, LaRoche and James are a NICE start), somthing to see that proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel”. Does ANYBODY really think that Hudson and Hampton and Chippers BAD FEET are taking us to the promise land any time soon? NOPE! NOT ME. If we get there, it’s gonna be with the young guys, athleticism, youth, enthusiasm, talent and Smoltz’ leadership and domination. So if those are the guys “carrying” the load. Why not UNLOAD the dead weight?

My fingers hurt. I’ll quit typing now.

By Nathan (You know, THE IDIOT WITH NO INTEGRITY)

December 2, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

sorry “keep it short”, you were one post too soon! LOL!

By nathans an idiot

December 2, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this

Nathan….nobody cares about reading your book (err comments). people just skip over lenghthy crap.

By Maine Braves Fan

December 2, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this

I think that we need to look at our team. The braves have some holes and getting glavine wouldnt help us out with whta we need. We need a leadoff hitter. We need bullpen. JS had other plans in mind and he probably talked to glavine but JS needs to adress bigger issues. By Glavine signing with mutts than atleats the mutts wont go after zito. So I look at it as a blessing. The mutts collasped towards the end next year but the braves dug them selves a hole in june thats why we couldnt catch them. I hate the mets or mutts.

By Benny

December 2, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this

Just another that JS let get away from the Braves. Just a real good AAA team from last year and going up on the tickets to see this same team play. What a shame!

By Jason

December 2, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

Schuerholz has made incredibly similar excuses like this in the past in regards to players. After ALL of those years he spent in Atlanta, after all the loyalty to the Braves, it obviously meanings nothing to both Schuerholz and Glavine. But aparently Glavine still had some Braves loyalty left in his heart. The second he expressed any interest at all to come back is the moment the Braves should have moved immediately to secure him back where he belongs - in a Braves uniform. They moved too slowly, they come up with lame excuses for not making a move, and give fans no excitement, as of right now, to look forward to 2007. It was a bad, wrong move by the Braves organization. There is simply no excuse.

By bobby

December 2, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

What is he supposed to do? Wait until the Mets go in another direction and then have to take whatever the Braves offer. He’s not a favorite of mine, but I would be trying to get as much as possible just like everyone of you do at your job.

By Bravesgal

December 2, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

For all of you that refuse to believe Glavine was using the Braves - how do you explain the Mets giving Glavine (who will be 42) $13 million in 2008 if he pitches 200 innings? Now mind you, Glavine pitched 198 innings in 2006 even after incurring the arm injury.

Glavine used the Braves and “took” the Mets.

By Mike

December 2, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this

What an ah! I will forever hate that pric, Tom Glavine!

By Wayne

December 2, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe how many “whiners” there are in these posts. JS, Bobby and their team have given us a tremendous 15 years, and all you want is to spend more money to “fix” things. You sound like a bunch of public school advocates (more $$ will solve all our problems).

TG would have possibly helped, but WHY couldn’t he wait one or two more days??? Smoltz has class, Tommy for my money, can go back to NY and spend his extra couple of million.

Also, I think JS will probably surprise us again, as he usually does. Nobody ever mentions that we have an Allstar SS that BOSTON is helping to pay for. Renteria for 6mil per year is a steal. Also, it is JS’s organization (Scouting and Development)that has given us Frenchy, McCann, James, LaRoche, and many others over the years.

One last thought on AJ. I love his game, but do we really want to give him 18mil per year for about 5 years, when it is clear his knees are wearing out? I would rather get a killer year out of him in ‘07 or get a few prospects for him, than to hamstring our payroll for the next 5 years.

I suspect the whiners out there were never around during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Long live Woody Woodward fans!

By Lynn

December 2, 2006 07:52 PM | Link to this

JS will have to make a MAJOR move during the winter meetings to ever get my respect again…it was pure BS on his part. He never had intentions of offering Glavine a contract. I think I will become a Mets fan…I definitely will not be making any trips again to Atlanta to spend my hard earned money on tickets until the front office fires the GM.

By bravesfan

December 2, 2006 09:24 PM | Link to this

Come on, we didnt need Glavine. We have Hampton and James. Rameriz is there. Why do we need to spend 10 million on a Glavine. Personally I think James is better then Glavine.

Starting pitching is not our problem. The pen is. How is signing Glavine going to fix the pen. Oh yea, lets throw James, Davies and Rameriz out there. Waist of good pitchers.

Hampton, Smoltz and Hudson are all 20 game winners. Hampton is throwing great and is past the 18 month date and Smoltz held up well. Roger found out why Hudson is throwing all over the place and they are working on that. We just didnt need Glavine. Big deal. Like I said before, he left. Goodby and hello to Chucky. Hes here for a good many year. Hes our future. Glavine is our past.

By Adam Wilson

December 2, 2006 11:46 PM | Link to this

Tommy, You really should be ashamed of yourself this go around. You say you are a family man and yet, you take a few million more to go back to the Mets when your family live right here in Alpharetta. It makes no sense! You don’t need the money…so why go back to the Mets only to be a mediocre pitcher at best? You were a Brave and you helped us win a World Series in 1995 and I will be forever greatful for that but I am very disappointed in the choices you’ve made over the last 5 yrs. Loyalty means something to me but it obviously doesn’t to Glavine!

By chris nicolai

December 2, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this

Good, Beat it again Glavine.

By Deb

December 3, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this

Tom just knows who has the better team, the better orginization, the better fans and yes the better city.

Sorry Atlanta your just pathetic when it comes to being a professional sports town.

By Rickaroo

December 3, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this

Glavine tells the Braves to go pee up a tree and the Braves sign a guy with a 7.60 ERA and a bad shoulder. Why do I have this sick feeling and the season isn’t even close to starting yet? I’m sure if this coming season goes like the last one, it will be the last for Bobby Cox…he will tire of pitchers who make $750,000 a year, not including incentives, who has a 7.60 ERA.

By coach

December 4, 2006 07:31 AM | Link to this

ITS TIME FOR ATLANTA TO GET JOHN SCHUERHOLZ OFF OUR PAYROLL. HE HAS OVER STAYED HIS WELCOME. HE NEEDS TO BE IN THE MINOR LEAGUES W/ HIS SON, AND THEIR SMALL PAYROLLS. THE IDEA OF SIGNING STURTZE,36, 7.60 ERA, 750K W/350K IN BONUS IS CRAZY. HEY JOHN I’M 53, HAD A 3.5 ERA IN COLLEGE, AND CAN STILL THROW A 85MPH FASTBALL, AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO SIGN FOR THE 350K MINIMUM,(IT’S 150K MORE THAN I’M MAKING NOW W/LESS MONTHS). ON TOP OF THAT I’LL BE READY FOR SPRING TRAINING IN FEB.

By coach

December 4, 2006 07:38 AM | Link to this

I need Sturtze’s agent to negotiate my divorce. Man he has to be good to get what he got for his client. It’s like betting on a horse with one bad leg.(and you don’t even know if it’s coming out of the stable).

By Wesley

December 4, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this

It seems as though the Braves can only sign worn out over the hill players and expect them to be stars again. This new pitcher will just be an also rand if that.

By KC

December 4, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

Okay, we didn’t get Tom Glavine. That’s the bad news. Now for the good news…

Even without adding Glavine, the Braves will still field a starting rotation in 07’ with the potential to be the best in baseball. No, that’s not an overstatement. I’m certainly not predicting that this rotation will be the best around, but I do want to point out that if the chips land in the right places, this rotation could be very special. Yes, that’s a best case scenario, but I would certainly wager that this rotation will be “good” at the very least.

John Smoltz: Still a bonafide ace, and should the Braves make their return to the post-season stage, as I think they will, Smoltzy is the most prolific post-season starter in baseball history.

Tim Hudson: I’ll save my comments on Huddy for a separate post, since Tim Hudson is an issue unto itself. Sufficed to say, the odds are certainly in favor of a much better season for him in 07’ and gain, there’ no reason to believe the Braves have lost confidence in him.

Mike Hampton:

• As a Brave (until he went on DL last year): 31-18, 3.74 ERA.

• Since all-star break in 03’: 26-13, 3.44 ERA

• Since all-star break in 04’ 13-2, 2.54 ERA

(The above stats are counted up to the point at which he went on the DL last year, ultimately requiring Tommy John surgery.)

Is Mike Hampton injury prone? Last season (2005) was the first season in 9 years in which Hampton failed to make at least 29 starts.

Horacio Ramirez: Yes, He is injury prone. However, statements made by some here like “You can count on him spending half the season on the DL” give me pause. Remember, he made 34 starts just last year, so it’s not far fetched to think he can stay healthy enough to contribute. If he does go down, Chuck James is more than capable of filling the number-4-guy role, and Davies or Cormier can be used to fill in as the 5th starter for a while… not the end of the world.

As for his ability… In his 12 healthy starts (between DL stints), he looked very good, despite some inconsistency. 9 of his 12 starts were outstanding (5-1 with a 1.69 ERA in those 9). Overall, in his 12 healthy starts, he posted a 3.89 ERA… on par with the likes of Glavine and Zito, isn’t it? Bottom line, if the Braves were willing to trade Hudson instead of Ramirez, that could certainly be construed as another vote of confidence in the lefty on the part of the Braves, who have always shown a lot of faith in him. If he can stay healthy, he’s got a chance to be one of the better lefties in the league this season. Believe it.

Chuck James: What can you say? A great looking young lefty who has got a chance to make a very nice career for himself. I look forward to seeing him pitch a full season in the ATL rotation.

Take heart! Glavine may be back in NY, but the Braves’ rotation still looks a lot more promising than theirs from where I’m standing.

By Tom Carrico

December 4, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

To heck with Glavine. We’ve got Sturtze now, baby, there’s no holding us back.

By cly

December 4, 2006 05:59 PM | Link to this

I am so glad that Glavine is NOT a Brave. What a dumb idea…resigning the Jerk. Let him rot in New York!!!

I will root for the Braves players who are not “turncoats”. We are going to finish ahead of the Mets in 2007…betcha !!!!

By Bobby Lane

December 4, 2006 07:18 PM | Link to this

The Braves need new ownership!!

By billy smith

December 4, 2006 07:40 PM | Link to this

go braves. mets stink.

period..

so does glavin

By Bobbymahlon

December 4, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

Has Schurholtz lost it by thinking he can sign a relief pitcher(Sturtze) with an earned run average of 7.0 and think that will fix our problems. Why not save the money and go along with some of our young guns who showed promise last year. Having Wickman for the whole year and the return of Hampton I think our pitching will be in good shape for 2007. I’m glad he did not get rid of Hudson to free up money to sign Glavine who would probably not wim more than 10 or 12 games and lose an equal ammount.