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| We think adding Tommy would clearly make our rotation better," general manager Frank Wren said by phone from baseball's GM meetings in Orlando. Wren also said the Braves would prefer to trade for a short-term center fielder to replace Andruw Jones and not turn the position over to rookie Brent Lillibridge, who played some center in college, or prospect Jordan Schafer, who is 21 and hasn't played above Class A. The Braves don't plan to make offers to free-agent center fielders Torii Hunter, Aaron Rowand or Mike Cameron, all of whom would require longer-term commitments than the Braves prefer. Wren said they don't want to block the path of their prospects. Among trade possibilities that might possibly interest the Braves: Kansas City's David DeJesus, who has three years left on a contract that pays $2.5 million in 2008, $3.6 million in 2009 and $4.7 million in 2010. That would presumably make him easy to trade again whenever the Braves had a youngster ready to take over. DeJesus is a .282 career hitter in 506 games with 111 doubles, 26 triples, 31 homers, 209 RBIs and a .358 on-base percentage. Wren didn't mention him or any others specifically. Wren has spoken with Glavine's agent, but the Braves aren't permitted to talk financial terms until Nov. 13, after a 15-day exclusive period for teams to negotiate with their own free agents. Glavine spent five seasons with the New York Mets and turned down a $13 million option for 2008. He was 13-8 with a 4.45 ERA and 200 1/3 innings this season, including a 3.88 ERA until his final three starts (0-2, 14.81 ERA). The Braves hope for a "hometown discount" from Glavine, whose 303-199 career record includes 242 wins, two Cy Young Awards and eight All-Star appearances in 16 seasons with Atlanta. Among 40-something pitchers, former Braves ace Greg Maddux signed a one-year $10 million contract with San Diego on Tuesday, and Curt Schilling got a one-year deal worth about $8 million plus incentives from Boston. |