Maddux stays with Braves, accepts arbitration offer

[LarryD]

Greg Maddux decided to stay with the Atlanta Braves, accepting the team’s offer of salary arbitration Thursday.
The four-time Cy Young Award winner had been a free agent. Accepting arbitration is the equivalent of signing a one-year deal for the 2003 season.
Maddux, a 36-year-old right-hander, made the decision late Wednesday night, according to agent Scott Boras, and told the team of his decision about eight hours before the midnight EST deadline.
‘‘At this point in time, at least for this year, they wanted to return to Atlanta and give it one more shot of winning there,’’ Boras said.
Unless they agree on a contract, Atlanta and Maddux will exchange proposed salaries for a one-year contract in mid-January and will argue their cases before three arbitrators the following month.
Maddux is coming off a $57.5 million, five-year contract, and he is expected to ask for an arbitration record. The highest figure submitted for a player was $18.5 million by the Yankees’ Derek Jeter in 2001.
Maddux and the Braves can negotiate up to the hearing date — or even after the hearing.
His acceptance gives Atlanta a surplus of pitchers. Atlanta added two starters Tuesday, trading for San Francisco’s Russ Ortiz and signing free agent Paul Byrd, who won 17 games last season with Kansas City.
Last month, Atlanta acquired Mike Hampton from Colorado in a three-team deal, and the Braves return Kevin Millwood and Jason Marquis from last year’s rotation.
Tom Glavine left the Braves, agreeing to a three-year contract with the New York Mets.

 

[bunky]

it would be a mistake if Millwood is the odd man out in the new braves rotation. Moving Millwood would be a terrible mistake. I'm disappointed they traded Moss to get Ortiz.

 

[T_Schroll]

Certainly gives the Braves an option to pick up another stick for the lineup. Marquis may be the odd man out. I figure on Hampton being the 5th starter until Leo can get him straightened out.

1 Maddux

2 Ortiz

3 Byrd

4 Millwood

5 Hampton

I'd probably look for Byrd and Hampton to swap slots once Hampton comes around. They still need a quality middle reliever to replace Remlinger though unless I missed a pickup there.

 

[bunky]

the braves lost a ton of bullpen. spooneybarger, remlinger, another name that escapes me and as far as i know have only replaced them with ray king. thats alot to lose

 

[bunky]

Kevin Millwood - S - Atlanta Braves Dec 19

With Greg Maddux returning to the Braves, Kevin Millwood could be traded this winter.
The Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rangers and Mariners could all be very interested in Millwood. The Phillies also likely would want him, but the Braves wouldn't want trade him to a division rival. The Yankees could give up Nick Johnson and prospects for Millwood. The Red Sox can offer Shea Hillenbrand and Casey Fossum. A deal with the Blue Jays likely would be built around Jose Cruz Jr. or Josh Phelps. The thought of adding Millwood could entice Rangers GM John Hart to part with Hank Blalock. The Mariners might be willing to deal Mike Cameron for Millwood, but Cameron will make more than the Atlanta right-hander next year and the Braves are looking to lessen their payroll.
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of these what ifs, i rank them

1. tor-phelps is awesome
2. tex- blalock could hold down 3b for a long time
3. nyy- johnson could hold down 1b for a long time
4. bos- might be higher ranked. shea h had a decent year with ft playing time. fossum could fill in admirably in mid relief
5. sea- uh, no.

 

[T_Schroll]

WTF is up with Hillenbrand? Every Red Sox trade rumor has him in it. Another rumor is that Clemens may go back to the Red Sox if not signed by the Yankees. Them adding Millwood would make sense to go with Pedro and Rocket.

 

[DA_MAN]

I would keep Millwood around, move Marquis to the pen where he belongs, because he is very, very hittable the 2nd or 3rd time around the order. He doesn't have enough pitches to get people out other than his fastball. The reason the Kevin Millwood has returned to his form is that he has returned to be a pitcher and not a thrower.

Greg Maddux will only be with the Braves 1 more year, also Gary Sheffield and Javy Lopez will be in the last year of deals and won't be resigned.

KEEP MILLWOOD, you can never have enough [size=large]PITCHING!!![/size]

 

[smashmouth5]

The Braves have a lot of young pitchers in Double and Single A that will be getting a shot soon. I think Byrd will be a good pickup. He won 17 games for a sorry team. I also like the pick of King. He will help with the loses in the bullpen. The Braves still need a strong bat at first. If Millwood can help add that, do it. They have been loaded with pitching over the years and that has = one title. They have to be able to score runs.