For Better or Worse, Braves sign Tom Glavine

by gondeee on Feb 19, 2009 8:14 PM EST in Braves Related Free Agents

This time the news comes from more sources than just the AJC, so we can actually believe it. From the reliable Ken Rosenthal:

The Braves on Thursday reached agreement with Glavine on a one-year, $1 million deal, according to major-league sources.

Glavine will make an additional $1 million for his first day on the active roster, $1.25 million for 30 days on the roster and another $1.25 million for 90 days on the roster, bringing the total possible value of the deal to $4.5 million. Glavine, however, has agreed to defer a portion of the money, a concession that lowers the present-day value of the contract.

Let the farewell tour begin. We'll have to wait and see how effective he can be. Odds are he won't be, but it's sort of silly to worry about it until we see some results.

While this blocks Charlie Morton, Jo-Jo Reyes, Jorge Campillo, and most importantly Tommy Hanson, it's important to keep in mind that during the coarse of even the best season one or two starters are bound to miss some time, and this will open the door to one or more of these guys to step in and make their debut (in the case of Hanson) or improve upon previous seasons.

0 recs | 20 comments

Comments

Tommy Glavine. We'll see how it goes. But you da man.

If anything else, it will keep Frenchy on his toes. Plus, it will make Chipper seem younger. And Chipper is a young 36. He still has the moves.

And yes, things can always change.

Chief Noc-A-Homa - February 19, 2009 reply

Might be a waste of a couple million

But I think we’ll be glad to have the depth. Glad that is over.

FrankyWren - February 19, 2009 reply

Ugh

mattdiaz4life - February 19, 2009 reply

You blogger. Glavine ... number five pitcher. Bobby old. Grunt.

FrankyWren - February 19, 2009 reply

Blocking Hanson.

Chipper Jones – as reported by O’Brien yesterday – would probably think this is not such a great thing:

Tommy Hanson would be in Chipper’s starting rotation, even if that meant having a six-man rotation. . . . Chipper knows Bobby wouldn’t do a six-man rotation to begin the season, but Chipper would. He said Hanson is that good, and that it’s only a matter of when, not if, that Hanson moves into the No. 1 starter role for the Braves.

I appreciate the Chip getting my back on this.

fandave - February 19, 2009 reply

If we are able to keep all five (JJ, Kawa, Glav, Lowe, and Javy) healthy long enough to keep Hanson in AAA until the all-star break ...

it’ll be a miracle. He’ll get his time w/ the big league club this year. If he’s as good as he’s supposed to be, 2-3 months (or however long it takes for someone to get hurt) won’t matter.

FrankyWren - February 19, 2009 reply

Rotation in August???

Anybody have any thoughts on what our rotation is going to look like in August? This is assuming that everybody in our Opening Day roster remains healthy and Hudson is ready to pitch again AND Hanson is ready to be called up. It just seems like in August IF all that happens, we are going to have 7 guys for 5 spots.

dunnytwogloves - February 20, 2009 reply

Couple of thoughts

1. I personally don’t think Chipper is the “expert” they (those that run the team) should be listening to on this subject.
2. Most of the experts I’ve have read all agree that Tommy would benefit from spending time in AAA to start the year.
3. Tommy being in the rotation at the beginning of the year is not in the best interest of the club long term.

Expanding on my last point, giving him some time in AAA to start the year will not only benefit him from an experience standpoint it also will allow the Braves to keep him from reaching arbitration early. If he is as good as you are making him out to be, and for the record I HOPE you are right, then in theory the Braves could save anywhere from 5 to 15 million dollars long term (considering inflation and the potential for escalating salaries if revenues continue to increase).

scstrato - February 19, 2009 reply

Agree w/ you re Chipper's "expert" opinion.

I thought it was noteworthy mostly only because Chipper of the undeniable fact that he is most definitely a true expert on nasty stuff.

And here’s another, even more noteworthy item:

A torn nail on his index finger didn’t prevent top prospect [Tommy Hanson] from doing all his scheduled work Thursday. The big right-hander impressed onlookers with the velocity of his fastball and movement on all his pitches.

Cox said earlier in the week: "He has a way-above-average slider. You don’t see one like that — a Smoltz-type slider. He’s really advanced in knowing how to correct a pitch, to fix a pitch. And in his command of the fastball."

High praise indeed by the skipper.

fandave - February 20, 2009 reply

You guys hear about Jose Guillen performing surgery on an ingrown toenail and injuring himself?

mattdiaz4life - February 20, 2009 reply

doesnt really block any of out pitchers. he will be out by the second week of spring training. he will follow a hampton like schedule of almost ready and re injured.

i guess the new mr glass is worth more then ohman is?

heapofoatmeal - February 19, 2009 reply

When times are tough and money is tight...

waste it on fond memories.

BraveBronco0121 - February 19, 2009 reply

+1

gondeee - February 19, 2009 reply

seconded. and rec'd.

jc25 - February 20, 2009 reply

4.5 million!?!?

What a terrible deal that is.

They can waste that on Glavine and not pony up 5 million to land Abreu? Seems pretty ass backwards to me…

get swoll yunel - February 19, 2009 reply

Some of the Braves' on the field staff,

obviously including our HOF manager, among others, think he has gas in the tank and with the surgical repairs, he will likely make a substantial contribution.

Its hard to understand, I agree, that is the justification for it.

fandave - February 20, 2009 reply