Atlanta Braves Wiretap

Only New York Or Atlanta For Glavine In '07

Tom Glavine is in the final year of his Mets contract, and the lefty said he only envisions himself playing in one of two places in 2007: New York or Atlanta.

Glavine, who with 275 career wins doesn't deny he's set the goal of reaching 300, told reporters at the Mets caravan he won't blindly pursue the mark.

"I've only given it the thought from not having any certainty," he said. "I really don't see myself playing anywhere else.

"But it's best approached by me and handled by me to just worry about what I'm doing this year."

Via NY Post

Atlanta Braves, New York Mets

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---

Sosa Agrees To $2.2 Million Deal With Braves

Pitcher Jorge Sosa agreed to a $2.2 million, one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves on Saturday after the best season of his career.

The 28-year-old right-hander was acquired by the Braves before last season in a seemingly minor deal with Tampa Bay. After starting out in the bullpen, he claimed a spot in rotation and went 13-3 with a 2.55 ERA.

Sosa was the final Atlanta player still in arbitration. He had asked for $2.6 million, while the Braves countered with an offer of $1.8 million.

The two sides met right in the middle, though Sosa also could earn an additional $50,000 if he pitches 205 innings. He pitched 134 innings last season.

"I feel very happy with the deal because we spent a long time negotiating and we avoided arbitration," Sosa said before a winter league game in his native Dominican Republic.

Via AP

Atlanta Braves

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---

Smoltz 'Ecstatic' About Arm Off Elbow Operations

John Smoltz is "ecstatic'' about the way his arm feels after the first two weeks of his offseason throwing program.

Smoltz, who finished the 2005 season with inflammation in his right shoulder, has had four operations on his right elbow. Despite the painful end to last season, he had a successful return to the starting rotation, going 14-7 with a 3.06 ERA. There was widespread concern about Smoltz's durability last year after four seasons as the Braves' closer, but he led the staff with 33 starts and 222 2-3 innings.

"It was an incredible year,'' he said this week.

The 38-year-old Smoltz says he is confident his arm will be ready for another season.

"It's feeling great,'' he said Wednesday. "I'm ecstatic with the way it feels today, even a month before we report for spring training.''

Via CNNSI.com

Atlanta Braves

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---

Giles Avoids Arbitration

Second baseman Marcus Giles and the Atlanta Braves avoided arbitration, agreeing to a $3.85 million, one-year contract on Monday.

Giles hit .291 with 15 home runs and 63 RBIs last season, when he earned $2.4 million. He has spent his entire five-year career with the Braves, making the NL All-Star team in 2003.

Via AP

Atlanta Braves

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---

Smoltz To Sit Out Classic

ATLANTA -- While Major League Baseball awaits word whether Cuba will be allowed to play in the World Baseball Classic, Atlanta pitcher John Smoltz says he probably won't be pitching for the United States in the tournament.

Smoltz was quoted as saying in Tuesday's editions of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he's not likely to play.

"We all have concerns; everybody does," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said Tuesday. "We're going to do all that we can to be as smart as we can to get our guys in the best possible condition, principally pitchers, so they're less likely to have an injury problem that would set them back and set us back."

Via AP

Atlanta Braves

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---