Glavine To The Braves? Hello Draft Picks!

by Eric Simon on Nov 12, 2007 5:59 PM EST

In his latest Hot Stove column for MLB.com, Jim Molony has an update on the Tom Glavine situation:

While the two parties can't specifically talk dollars until Tuesday, the Braves are certainly optimistic that they'll fill their need for a starting pitcher by signing Tom Glavine. Multiple club sources have said they believe the veteran left-hander will likely wait at least one week before announcing that he'll be pitching in Atlanta next year.
The Braves will likely offer a one year deal worth $8-9 million that includes a mutual option for the 2009 season. Glavine's agent, Gregg Clifton, said the two parties talked last week and expect to do so again this week.

If we refer to our list of important MLB dates, we'll see that December 1st is the last day for teams to offer their own free agents salary arbitration.

There is some risk in offering a player arbitration in that they might actually accept when you are hoping for otherwise. In the case of Glavine it's win-win, really. If he signs with the Braves and the Mets offer him arbitration they will collect the Braves' first round pick next year (18th overall). If Glavine accepts, then the Mets get an average-to-better starting pitcher on a low-risk one-year deal.

Should the Braves sign Glavine prior to 12/1 (or prior to the Mets offering arbitration, whichever comes first), they automatically forfeit their first rounder next year, even if the Mets weren't planning on offering Glavine arbitration. Which they will. I assume.

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Well

There have been rumors that there is a handshake deal between Omar and Tom not to offer him arbitration.

To that I say f that, if it's not in writing and you want to go back to our rivals, then hand over your first round pick, bitches.

"I got my pregnant wife (the Yankee fan) with me. Hoping my kid learns to kick her everytime the Mets score." -Schifftis-

by future on Nov 12, 2007 6:27 PM EST reply actions

Rumors

I haven't heard those, but if the Braves sign him before 12/1 it won't matter either way.

by Eric Simon on Nov 12, 2007 6:33 PM EST up reply actions

Hmm.

So Braves, please sign him quickly?

"I got my pregnant wife (the Yankee fan) with me. Hoping my kid learns to kick her everytime the Mets score." -Schifftis-

by future on Nov 12, 2007 6:45 PM EST up reply actions

Yea

I'm not sure if you can explicitly decline to offer arbitration or if you decline it implicitly by not explicitly offering it by 12/1. I guess we'll see.

If the Mets somehow agreed to let Glavine walk away to their division rival with a tacit agreement not to take Atlanta's first round draft pick in the process then Omar Minaya should be fired on the spot.

by Eric Simon on Nov 12, 2007 7:37 PM EST up reply actions

well Glavine

has deferred a significant amount of money as a favor to the Mets. Your word should mean something.

Keep Lastings Milledge Free

by DoctorK16 on Nov 12, 2007 7:46 PM EST up reply actions

Wha?

Not that much. And not to a guy who has constantly played us as his safety school.

"I got my pregnant wife (the Yankee fan) with me. Hoping my kid learns to kick her everytime the Mets score." -Schifftis-

by future on Nov 12, 2007 7:54 PM EST up reply actions

Ehh

Glavine took the best offer on the table the last two times he was a free agent (2002 and 2006), so he'll have a tough time selling me on his selflessness with respect to contractual negotiations.

by Eric Simon on Nov 12, 2007 8:05 PM EST up reply actions

true

but he changed those terms during the year to give the Mets flexibility a couple of times. I can see why Omar would keep his word here. Plus lying to FA about stuff makes it harder for you sign other ones.

Keep Lastings Milledge Free

by DoctorK16 on Nov 12, 2007 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

Arb

I have no idea if the Mets actually have this rumored handshake agreement with Glavine. I'm not suggesting they renege on their word, just that they shouldn't have agreed to such a stipulation in the first place.

by Eric Simon on Nov 12, 2007 9:55 PM EST up reply actions