The Braves, who allowed right-hander John Smoltz to depart as a free agent and declined to re-sign center fielder Andruw Jones, could part with Glavine in another break with their past.

Glavine, who turns 43 on March 25, is seeking a guarantee in the $2 million to $3 million range as he rebounds from minor shoulder and elbow surgeries, plus incentives that could push the total value to $6 million.

The Braves have offered him a one-year, $1 million guarantee with the chance to make $3 million — or $9 million less than the potential value of the package they offered Smoltz.

Glavine returned to the Braves last season on a one-year, $8 million free-agent contract. He went 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA in 13 starts before undergoing his respective surgeries. But, unlike Smoltz, who is coming off a more serious shoulder operation, he is expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Tightening finances would be part of the Braves' reason for declining to increase their offer to Glavine; the team is believed to have between $6 million and $8 million left to spend, and needs an outfielder more than a starting pitcher.

The Braves are set with their first four starters — right-handers Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens, Javier Vazquez and Kenshin Kawakami. They also have four candidates for the fifth spot — lefty Jo-Jo Reyes and righties Tommy Hanson, Charlie Morton and Jorge Campillo.

Meanwhile, Yankees outfielders Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady, two of the Braves' trade targets, will earn $6.55 million and $5.3 million this season, respectively. The Yankees are unlikely to include money in any deal — except, perhaps, if they receive higher-quality prospects in return.

The Braves also are touching base with some of the remaining free-agent outfielders, including Bobby Abreu. But they might only sign a player such as Abreu if he settled for a deal in the $4 million to $5 million range, which is unlikely.

Glavine initially said he only wanted to play in Atlanta; he lives with his wife and four children in Alpharetta, Ga. However, he has worked hard to rehabilitate his arm, and does not want to retire.

The Nationals would represent an obvious possibility if Glavine chose to leave the Braves — he is close with Nats president Stan Kasten, a former Braves executive.

Glavine, though, might be more inclined to consider contenders, particularly those on the East Coast. He conceivably could delay signing a contract until March, when pitching openings are certain to arise due to injuries.

New York Yankees News News » Sources: Braves, Glavine set to meet
Sources: Braves, Glavine set to meet
Tom Glavine will meet with Braves GM Frank Wren on Wednesday in a summit that likely will determine whether the free-agent left-hander stays in Atlanta. Glavine's agent, Gregg Clifton, is flying to Atlanta from his base in Phoenix to attend the meeting, according to major-league sources. MLB Hot Stove