ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Bobby Cox says it's easy to understand why the Atlanta Braves haven't pushed hard to trade for Ken Griffey Jr.

"I think the price is a little steep," the Braves manager said Sunday at baseball's winter meetings.

Seattle supposedly has asked that Kevin Millwood be included in any deal with Atlanta, who probably would also have to give up center fielder Andruw Jones.

Millwood, 24, was 18-7 with a 2.68 ERA last season and made just $230,000. He won't be eligible for salary arbitration until 2002.

Cox would rather revisit the Griffey situation after the next World Series -- when Griffey presumably will be on the free-agent market.

"To wait one year and have your team intact makes a lot of sense to me," Cox said.

Cincinnati pulled out of Griffey talks Saturday, saying the Mariners were asking for too much and hadn't softened their position in weeks. Cincinnati won't part with young second baseman Pokey Reese.

"I don't think it's surprising, simply because of the player involved," Cox said. "You just don't snap your fingers and do this type of deal when he's eligible to become a free agent next year."

While the Braves went a major league-best 103-59 and finished first for the eighth time in the decade, they were swept by the New York Yankees in the World Series.

Cox said he hasn't thought about the Series much but is looking forward to his team healing during the offseason. First baseman Andres Galarraga missed the whole season while undergoing cancer treatment. Catcher Javy Lopez and pitchers Kerry Ligtenberg, Rudy Seanez and Odalis Perez all sustained season-ending injuries.

Galarraga, 38, will be coming back after an 18-month layoff.

"I heard today he was cleared to swing real easy," Cox said. "I know he's going to work hard all spring. He's dedicated to do this. He's always been a guy who's worked hard in the winter."

Cox thinks Lopez will be in good shape by the start of spring training in mid-February.

"I don't know where Seanez is right now," he said. "Odalis Perez is not going to be ready, that's for sure. I think you have to plan your club without those guys right now. We hope they're going to be fine by the opening bell."