Those moves limited the Braves' remaining payroll flexibility; the team is believed to have between $6 million and $8 million left to spend in 2009.

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 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 minor elbow and shoulder operations in August. But unlike Smoltz, who is coming off a more serious shoulder operation, he is expected to be ready for Opening Day.

The Braves offered Smoltz a $2 million base salary, plus a $1 million bonus if he made the Opening Day roster, according to a major-league source.

The Opening Day bonus was all but unattainable, and while the potential value of Smoltz's package was $12 million, many of his incentives — 30 starts, 200 innings, Cy Young Award, World Series MVP — would have been difficult for him to achieve.

The Red Sox guaranteed Smoltz $5.5 million and included $5 million in more attainable bonuses — $125,000 for Smoltz's first day on the roster, $35,000 per day from June 1 to Oct. 3, $500,000 if Smoltz was active Oct. 4.

While Glavine also would want incentives on top of his guaranteed money, he is willing to share the risk with the Braves. He likely would settle for a total package in the $6 million range — or about half of what the Braves offered Smoltz.

Washington Nationals News News » Will Glavine return to Braves? Nothing's certain
Will Glavine return to Braves? Nothing's certain
The Braves have shown their unsentimental side in free agency by allowing right-hander John Smoltz to depart and declining to rush into a contract with center fielder Andruw Jones. Like Smoltz, lefty Tom Glavine wants to stay in Atlanta. The Braves want him to stay, and Braves general manager Frank Wren appears to enjoy a better relationship with Glavine than he did with Smoltz. Though Wren's talks with Glavine are only in the beginning stages, according to major-league sources, the team's tightening finances could lead to the departure of yet another Braves legend. Glavine, who turns 43 on March 25, is believed to be seeking a guarantee in the $2 million to $3 million range as he rebounds from elbow and shoulder surgeries. The Braves, in greater need of another outfielder than another starting pitcher, might not be in position to add both. Earlier this offseason, the Braves traded for right-hander Javier Vazquez, who will earn $11.5 million in 2009, and signed free-agent righties Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami for a combined $83 million. MLB Hot Stove