While the Braves were in New York late this past season, one of the Mets players pulled a Braves coach aside and said, "If you guys had signed Glavine, you'd be running away with this division right now."

Fortunately for the Braves, the financial hurdles that they claim prevented them from signing Glavine last year no longer exist. My belief is that we're simply in the midst of a waiting game. My expectation is that he will officially re-sign with his original organization during November's final week.

Once Glavine signs the dotted line, there would certainly be legitimate reason to consider the Braves the favorites to win the National League East. Their primary need to gain this status is landing a durable and dependable veteran starter.

Over the course of the past two decades, nobody (well maybe Greg Maddux) has fit this description better than Glavine. Dating back to 1989, there has been just one non-strike-shortened season in which he didn't complete at least 198 innings. This past season, his 200 1/3 innings would have ranked third on the Braves -- nearly 40 innings ahead of the next closest pitcher (Chuck James).

Set to turn 42 in March and carrying the strains of a left shoulder that has bothered him throughout a large portion of his career, Glavine isn't nearly as good as he was when he won Cy Young Awards with the Braves in 1991 and 1998. But with John Smoltz and Tim Hudson already in place, there is no need for him to assume the role of ace in Atlanta.

Instead, the Braves only need him to maintain his fierce competitive desire and display the clubhouse leadership skills that still make him a welcome addition to any team, especially one such as the Braves, who need a veteran to stabilize their rotation.

Glavine's final three starts of the season gave his critics some added ammunition. I've even heard some pointing out the fact that, statistically, his ERA, opponents batting average and opponents on-base percentage were trumped by those posted by James.

To that, I say, you take your numbers and I'll take my 300-game winner whose 23 quality starts ranked fifth in the National League this past year. This means during nearly seven out of every 10 starts he made last year, he worked at least six innings and allowed three or fewer earned runs.

In doing so, he consistently gave his team a chance to win and at the same time ate many of the innings that would have had to have been assumed by the bullpen. Adding a third starter capable of completing at least 200 innings would keep the Braves' bullpen fresh and, consequently, more effective.

I'd say this would be the greatest direct benefit Glavine would give the Braves. Away from the mound, he'd prove to be a great mentor for the young pitchers. At the same time, my guess is that reuniting Smoltz and Glavine will only make each of them better as they consistently attempt to out-do the other like they did during their early years together.

What are the chances the Braves will get some of Oakland's starting pitchers?
-- Josh L., Fitzgerald, Ga.

I'm not sure the Braves will be getting any of Oakland's pitchers. My assumption is that once they get Glavine, they'll turn their focus toward finding a center fielder, and Oakland certainly has one that might be available.

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Entering the final year of his contract, Mark Kotsay might be deemed expendable in Oakland and, at the same time, a good fit in Atlanta, where the Braves are looking for a short-term solution in center field. He's owed $8 million next year, and the Braves might be able to find a way to afford that salary.

Kotsay missed the first two months of the 2007 season while recovering from offseason back surgery, and in August he was sidelined for the rest of the season with back spasms that he says weren't related to the surgery. If healthy, he would provide solid defense and a consistent bat that could potentially be used in one of the lineup's first two spots.

Braves general manager Frank Wren is well aware of the positive influence Kotsay's gritty demeanor could bring to the club. Wren was the Marlins' assistant general manager when Kotsay made his Major League debut with them in 1997.

After having a rough time in 2005 and 2006, Joey Devine looked pretty solid in limited time in 2007. What are his chances of starting the season in Atlanta and staying there all season, or at least for a significant amount of time?
-- Jimmy R., Geneva, N.Y.

Yeah, I think there's reason to believe Devine has overcome some of those demons that cropped up over his first two seasons. In 50 combined appearances with Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Richmond, he posted a 1.51 ERA and limited opponents to a .202 batting average.

Given a chance to get his feet on the ground, Devine has shown why the Braves took him with their first selection in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. As the 2007 season progressed, he showed the improved control that could earn him a lasting spot in the Atlanta bullpen.

For now, I think you can assume that Rafael Soriano, Peter Moylan and Manny Acosta will be in the bullpen. Devine and left-hander Royce Ring will certainly have a good shot at landing middle-relief roles.

As for Tyler Yates and Oscar Villarreal, their futures with the club will depend on the cost they'll command as arbitration-eligible players.

How is Mike Hampton's rehab coming along? Assuming he pitches, is it reasonable to expect him to return to his pre-injury form and win 16-18 games, or are we looking at more of a fourth or fifth starter in the rotation?
-- Michael M., Shelby, N.C.

Hampton will begin pitching in the Mexican League next week, and at that time, the Braves might get a better idea of how well his elbow has progressed. With the veteran southpaw having missed most of the past three years because of his left elbow, they can't plan for the 2008 season with the assumption that he'll immediately find the same success he's had in the past.

He will be targeted for a fourth or fifth spot in the rotation, and if he's able to provide at least 20 starts next year, the Braves simply have to look at this as success.