"We'll Split It"

Greg Maddux has signed the biggest one-year contract in baseball history ($14.75 M) as the Braves and Maddux split the difference in their arbitration offers. Apparently, Maddux and the Braves expect this to be his last year in Atlanta. Maddux wants to spent more time near his family in Las Vegas and the Braves will be--surprise!--looking to cut salary next year.

It's surprising given the D-Backs starting pitching needs and their proximity to Vegas that Maddux didn't draw an offer from that team while he was a free agent. Maybe not, given Arizona's already ample payroll and the almost fanatical devotion to cutting salary throughout the game. Then again, a good case of collusion would explain it all away, but I'm not going there.