ESPNET SportsZone: Major League notebook: Braves have plan for offseason
By Tracy Ringolsby
Scripps Howard News Service
           The Atlanta Braves are anything but cheap.
           Their nearly $50 million payroll is the biggest in the National
League. But general manager John Schuerholz and president Stan Kasten say 
loyalty is as big a factor as money when they get into contract negotiations.
           And with the end of the World Series they will embark on a
significant negotiation -- John Smoltz, a potential free agent they 
anticipate signing prior to a mid-November announcement that he has won the 
NL Cy Young award.
           "Until you are in the process you never know, but I am somewhat
buoyed by what (Fred) McGriff and (Marquis) Grissom did last year," 
Schuerholz said. "They showed a desire to remain in the atmosphere they 
helped create."
           Translation, McGriff, who made $4.75 million in 1996, and Grissom,
who made $4.8 million, both could have gotten more money on the open market 
but chose to stay with the Braves because of the team's success.
           And McGriff and Grissom were newcomers to the atmosphere. McGriff
was acquired from San Diego in mid-1993, and Grissom came over from Montreal 
during the spring of 1995. Ties to the revitalization of the Braves are 
stronger for Smoltz and Tom Glavine, who has a year left on his contract but 
will be offered an extension this winter by the Braves.
           They were part of Atlanta's last-place team in 1990, and have been
a  part of each of the NL record five consecutive post-season teams.
           Kasten said the Braves don't plan on backsliding.
           "If we don't have John we will have a suitable replacement for 
im,
but we shouldn't have a problem," Kasten said. "We don't set records, but we 
are competitive. Like 'Gripp' (Grissom) and McGriff last year. If you like it 
here and want lots and lots of money we can do that. If you want to set a 
record or your agent wants to set a record, we can't do that."
           The biggest test of that philosophy figures to be Steve Avery. He
won a $4.2 million salary in arbitration last winter but heads into free 
agency having gone 14-23 with a 4.58 ERA the past two seasons. The Braves 
lessened the need to keep Avery with the late August acquisition of Denny 
Neagle to join Smoltz, Glavine and Greg Maddux in the rotation.
           Avery, however, isn't ready to sell his home in Atlanta.
           "I've been spoiled playing with the Braves," Avery said. "My first
choice is to stay with the Braves. If not then I'd rather stay in the 
National League ... I'd like to go somewhere where I can win right away."
           Cross Colorado off the list of potential suitors. Avery has been
one  of the most vocal critics of pitching in Denver since the Rockies began 
play in 1993, and the Rockies have learned their lesson with the likes of 
Greg Harris and Andy Ashby that mental toughness to deal with Coors Field's 
elements is as critical as physical ability.
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