GLAVINE HEADING HOME

by Jack Cobra, Cobra Brigade

In an off-season that is sure to be filled with players leaving their current teams to go with the highest bidder, SP Tom Glavine is a breath of fresh air. After starting his career in Atlanta and then moving on to the New York Mets for the past few seasons, it now looks like Glavine is going to re-sign with the Braves for the final chapter(s) of his career.

At his best, Glavine was a dominating, Cy Young Award winning left handed pitcher who was a model of consistency for the Braves and the Mets. At his worst, he was an innings eater who was a veteran presence in the clubhouse. At this point in his career, the Braves have to be looking to get a little bit of both of those situations out of Glavine.

The refreshing part of this situation, at least to me, is that Glavine gave up a $13 million option to stay with the Mets so that he could go back to Atlanta to finish out his career. Yes, Glavine has made a lot of money throughout his career, and while the $8 million he's rumored to be getting from Atlanta next season isn't chump change...it is nice to see players turn down more money in order to be on a team where they started their career.

He'll probably be slotted in the #2 spot in the pitching rotation for the Braves to offset righty's John Smoltz and Tim Hudson. He won't be a Cy Young candidate next season, but he should be a comforting presence as Bobby Cox attempts to lead the Braves to the playoffs.