Crazy Tommy?

The stakes have gone up in the Tom Glavine sweepstakes. The going price is now $45 M over 4 years. Who upped their ante you ask? Why Glavine himself of course.

Baseball's version of Bob Barker sent his counterproposal to the Phillies, Mets, and Braves yesterday. I am left wondering why one of them doesn't drop out and pursue Greg Maddux. They are both 36. Though both are strong Hall-of-Fame candidates, Maddux has been a far better pitcher over his career (Maddux' park-adjusted ERA is 45% better than average and twice as good as Glavine's, which is only 22% above average). I would also submit that Maddux was a better pitcher in 2002 (BP's Support-Neutral Wins Above Replacement (SNWAR) favors Maddux 5.8 to 5.3).

One last thing: if I were choosing between the two as far as which will be productive until and at age 40, I would have to go with Maddux. Glavine has had some average years mixed in with the great (e.g., 1994 and 1999). Maddux has been a superior pitcher every year since 1988, inclusive. The only advantage Glavine has is having won 20 games five times as opposed to two for Maddux. Given that wins have a great deal to do with luck, I wouldn't invest $45 M in Glavine without exploring Maddux as an option. I don't know what he's asking but can it be more than the Glavine auction?