TUCSON, Ariz. -- Tom Glavine is rumored to be headed to either Philadelphia or the New York Mets, and Greg Maddux's future remains veiled as his agent, Scott Boras, builds a mystery. The Atlanta Braves payroll is likely decreasing, and general manager John Schuerholz says, "Right now I have no idea what's going to happen with them. We really haven't gotten past the initial stages of negotiations."

	Tom Glavine has compiled a 242-143 record and a 3.36 ERA in 16 seasons with the Braves.

After 11 straight first-place finishes in their division -- a string of success that has Glavine as its cornerstone and Maddux a fixture in nine championships -- Atlanta now has an uncertain future with the prospect its starting rotation could have more questions than Cy Young winners next season.

"We have operated under strict guidelines, so this winter is no different," Schuerholz said. "It's hard to know where we are at this point. But we have a good team, and we will field a good, competitive team next season. Who plays on that team, I can't tell you right now. We will do whatever we can, within the boundaries of our payroll. We will not do anything that isn't viable."

A function of seasonal success is that good players become expensive players, especially those with annual postseason exposure. The Braves have committed nearly $52 million to Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, John Smoltz, Gary Sheffield and Vinny Castilla, and Kevin Millwood and Damian Moss are arbitration eligible. In addition, they may have to plug a hole at first base, which this winter may present a buyer's market.

Smoltz, the National League Cy Young winner in 1996, can go back to the starting rotation and pass the closing role over to Tim Spooneybarger, but gone could be Glavine, a two-time Cy Young winner, and four-time winner Maddux. Still, Schuerholz cites a Baseball America article that says the Braves have more top prospects than any other organization in baseball as he claims the team's future remains bright.

"We've got some good young pitching, and we like Trey Hodges, who has won 30 games in the minors the last two years. Other very good young pitchers like Adam Wainright and Bubba Nelson may come along quickly, so I feel good," Schuerholz said. "I feel confident that by the time the 2003 season starts, we will once again be extremely competitive.

"Public reaction to what we do in the winter has never been a part of our plans," he says. "We react to what happens during the season."

Teams don't always get what they pay for
Jim Thome may get $15 million a year from the Phillies, but the days of the $17 million-$20 million contracts may become antique concepts. The dangers of a team in small- or medium-sized markets putting a large contract in the hands of a single player it cannot do without have come back to haunt the team time and again. Consider these facts since 1985:

	The sky may not be the limit for teams interested in signing slugger Jim Thome this offseason.