Griffey, Glavine talk overshadows start of Braves workouts

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — When they weren’t stretching, throwing or hitting, many Braves were fielding questions Sunday about adding Ken Griffey Jr. and Tom Glavine to the team.

“Those guys can play — they’re Hall of Fame players,” Derek Lowe, the Braves’ new $60 million pitcher, said of the two veteran free agents the Braves hope to sign. “All they would do is help our team win and get us back to the playoffs.”

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Rich Addicks/raddicks@ajc.com

New Braves ace Derek Lowe is watched by the likes of Tim Hudson (from left), pitching coach Roger McDowell and prospect Tommy Hanson as he threw in the bullpen as the Braves opened spring training workouts.

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Catcher Brian McCann said, “I think it’d be great. Not only do they bring Hall-of-Fame resumes, they also bring something to the clubhouse that you just can’t go find.”

The Braves had their first workout for pitchers and catchers Sunday at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. The first first full-squad workout is Wednesday.

Griffey, 39, could decide this week between offers from the Braves and Seattle Mariners. A friend of Griffey told Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Terence Moore that the 13-time All-Star and former American League MVP preferred to play for the Braves and manager Bobby Cox.

As eager as the Braves were to start spring training in mid-70 degree weather Sunday, some were equally excited, or at least cautiously optimistic, to hear the team could be close to re-signing Glavine and getting Griffey, who would add some needed power.

“I think I’ve been weaned off of getting overly anxious about moves to be made,” third baseman Chipper Jones said, alluding to offseason pursuits of Rafael Furcal, A.J. Burnett and Jake Peavy, which fell short.

“But certainly the possibility of bringing in two guys like that is encouraging,” Jones said. “Frank [Wren, general manager] is still trying to do everything he can to make us competitive.”

Wren said there was nothing new to report in negotiations. Glavine said Sunday he remained optimistic about a deal with the Braves, adding that his only timetable is to be ready to pitch in exhibition games in early March.

That would put him on pace to be ready for the regular season, and manager Bobby Cox said Sunday the Braves wouldn’t need their fifth starter until April 19, then not again until April 29.

“He’d be ready easily by the 19th,” Cox said of Glavine. “It’d be great [to re-sign him]. He feels better than he has in the last six years.”

Wren acknowleged interest in Griffey, but said the Braves would continue to consider other undisclosed outfield options in case they don’t land the 13-time All-Star and former MVP. Griffey has struggled against left-handers in recent years, but continues to thrive against right-handers.

The Braves have indicated he’d probably be used in left field and might split time with right-handed hitter Matt Diaz. Griffey has been receptive to that plan.

“I’ve known Ken since he was a little kid,” said Cox, who agreed Griffey’s veteran presence would be welcome in the clubhouse. “But it wouldn’t be for just that; we’d bring [him] in to help us win.”

Griffey has 611 home runs in 20 major league seasons. He hit .249 with 18 homers and 71 RBI in 2008 with Cincinnati and the Chicago White Sox, including .272 with 14 homers and a .372 on-base percentage in 327 at-bats against right-handed pitchers.

“He can still hit, and he’s a presence in the lineup that we need,” McCann said. “He can beat you with one swing of the bat.”

Jones said: “The guy can still hit. I played with him in the [World Baseball Classic] a couple years ago, and he was our best hitter. He has a knack of turning it up and proving people wrong.

“When he steps in the box, he’s a threat.”

Griffey lives in Orlando, near the Braves’ spring training site. His daughter plays for an Atlanta AAU basketball team, and his son will play his first season of varsity football this year in Orlando.

Those are factors that make Atlanta more appealing to Griffey than Seattle, where he became a superstar while playing his first 11 seasons for the Mariners.

“From talking to him the last couple of years, I know he’s always wanted to play here,” Jones said. “Now, he’s got the opportunity.”

Griffey is getting deferred payments beginning this year from the Cincinnati Reds. He might get a one-year deal worth $2 million or less from the Braves, leaving payroll room to sign Glavine.

Glavine has had a smooth recovery from August surgeries to his pitching elbow and shoulder, and the Braves have offered him a one-year deal worth $1 million in base salary. He’d like incentives worth at least another $3 million, and would defer payment of those to help the Braves stay within budget.

The two sides have discussed in recent days how those deferred payments could be structured, and a deal could be struck soon.