The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the offer made to Tom Glavine is worth around $7 million, a one-year deal.

Glavine declined a $13 million option to return to the Mets this year.

Glavine’s agent, Gregg Clifton, believes a deal could be struck as early as today.

ESPN reports that the Braves have officially extended an offer to free agent Tom Glavine. According to ESPN, Glavine and his agent will give the Braves their counteroffer sometime tonight.

An actual offer…which means Tom Glavine is gone. Its no secret he wants to go back, if they went to the actual effort of making an offer chances are its enough to get him to say yes, since all he seems to care about is 1) playing and 2) being near his family. If I were a Met outfield prospect right now, I’d be doing my best to convince Omar I’m the one that shouldn’t be sent out west for a starter. 

ESPN reports that Tom Glavine’s agent, Gregg Clifton, has had meetings with Braves general manager Frank Wren and the talks have moved to the point that an offer could come as early as today.

Here’s whats brewing on the Hot Stove this Thursday morning…

• Yorvit Torrealba’s agent told the Denver Post that he expects his client to make a decision regarding the Mets contract offer today. Tracy Ringolsby in the Rocky Mountain News reports that the Mets have offered Torrealba a two-year deal worth $9 million. The Denver Post is reporting it to be a three-year, $15 million deal.
• Omar Minaya tells Ben Shpigel of the New York Times he has an idea of how much money it will take to sign his desired free-agent targets and knows which prospects and how many he would have to surrender to upgrade the Mets pitching staff.“Ideally, you’d always like a guy with 200-plus innings, you know what I’m saying?” Minaya said. “If for whatever reason Glavine does not come back, we have to look for a starting pitcher.”
• Speaking of Tom Glavine, Mets.com reports that Tom is getting some advice on his future from the most famous Tom in Mets history, Mr. Tom Seaver.
• Dan Graziano at the Star Ledger reports that the Yankees plan on continuing to pursue Mike Lowell even if they re-sign Alex Rodriguez. The Yankees plan on putting Lowell at first base.
• Jon Heyman on SI.com reports that the Yankees and Rodriguez are discussing a 10 year, $280 million contract.
• Buster Olney said on ESPN last night that he believes that Alex Rodriguez is taking a deeply discounted offer from the Yankees, 10-years for $220 million. I’ll believe this when I see it.
• The San Diego Union Tribune reports that the Padres expect Geoff Blum to sign with the Astros, and will likely let Milton Bradley walk as well. The Padres are looking at Geoff Jenkins and Andruw Jones as their top free agent targets.
• The St Louis Post Dispatch reports that Scott Rolen seems all but gone from St. Louis. The third baseman was reportedly unhappy with the letter he received from Tony La Russa that was an attempt to reconcile with Rolen.
• The St Louis Post Dispatch also reports that the Cardinals have interest in Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse.
• 7Sports, a local Boston news television station, is reporting that the Braves, Angels, Cardinals and Yankees have all offered Mike Lowell four-year contracts worth between $55 million and $60 million.

In the Associated Press, Omar Minaya was intentionally vague when asked about his plans for the Mets catcher in 2008. When asked how Paul Lo Duca falls into those plans he gave this answer:

“We have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C,” general manager Omar Minaya said. “He is definitely in our radar. Where he is, I’d rather not comment on that.”

He was unclear about his intentions on Luis Castillo as well:

“Castillo is a guy that we said we’re talking to but I don’t want to kind of say where,” Minaya said. “I just don’t want other clubs to kind of know who we’re targeting or as far as the level of interest because that would put me at a disadvantage.”

Minaya also said he has not had any discussions with Tom Glavine.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that SP Tom Glavine’s agent Gregg Clifton met Wednesday with Braves general manager Frank Wren over lunch in Phoenix, and Wren reiterated his desire for Glavine to rejoin the team.

Rosenthal also adds that two other National League East teams — the Phillies and Nationals — are also believed to be interested in Glavine.

Glavine earned $10.5 million last year with the Mets. Ken also notes that the next step belongs to the Braves, who probably could ensure Glavine’s return by offering him a one-year, $8 million contract.

Here’s some Hot Stove buzz to get you started with your morning coffee…

• MLB Trade Rumors hears that the Mets are interested in Ervin Santana, Chris Capuano, Claudio Vargas, and Noah Lowry. I happen to think Lowry would be a nice addition to the back end of the Mets rotation.
• MTR also reports that Luis Castillo is pushing for a 4-year deal. I suspect thats more than the Mets will be willing to offer, but stranger things have happened.
• In case you missed it, the Mets may be more interested in Livan Hernandez than previously suspected. Matthew Cerrone discusses this on Mets Blog via Ben Shpigel’s article yesterday in the New York Times.
• The Palm Beach Post is reporting that the Dodgers and Angels are the front runners for Miguel Cabrera. The Marlins want Howie Kendrick, Nick Adenhart, another pitcher, and an outfielder from the Angels. The Dodgers are being asked for Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, Andy LaRoche, James Loney, and Matt Kemp.
• The Braves will meet with Tom Glavine today who is expected to look for a deal similar to the one Greg Maddux received, one-year for $10 million.
• No surprise, the Marlins are going the cheap route on their free agent spending, reports the Palm Beach Post.
• File under : Is anyone actually buying this crap? Metro Canada reports the Blue Jays are targeting Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte. Is this part of their best buddies retirement tour? Please guys, just go away already, thanks.
• Scott Boras told the Detroit Free Press that returning to the Tigers is Kenny Rogers first priority. Whew, thanks Scott! I was losing sleep wondering where Kenny Rogers would be playing next season.
• The Houston Chronicle reports that the Astros intend to go after free agent reliever Francisco Cordero. Luke Scott and Chris Burke may be used as chips to get a pitcher via trade. GM Ed Wade said he intends to be aggressive this off-season and some of his other targets include Tadahito Iguchi, Scott Linebrink, Kaz Matsui, Jason Jennings, and Jon Lieber.
• The Star Ledger reports the Yankees have opened serious discussions with Mike Lowell.

As Eric Simon on Amazin’ Avenue points out, if the Mets were to lose Tom Glavine to the Braves, which are the only team he’s said he would play for besides the Mets next year, the Mets receive an early first round draft pick in return.

If the Mets offer Glavine arbitration, which is really a no-brainer, and the Braves sign Glavine, they would receive the Braves’ first round pick next year (18th overall).

If the Braves sign Glavine prior to 12/1 they automatically forfeit their first rounder next year.

Jim Molony on MLB.com believes Glavine to Atlanta is a forgone conclusion. Molony says Glavine will wait about a week and then announce he’ll pitch for the Braves in ‘08. It would probably be for $8-9MM for ‘08 with a mutual option for ‘09.

While Mets fans have a bitter taste in their mouth after the way Glavine ended the Mets season, it will not be easy to replace the innings Glavine provided.

The AP is reporting that Tom Glavine has spoke with new Braves GM Frank Wren. According to Glavine’s agent:

We had a very nice conversation. We agreed to probably speak next week.

Glavine spent 16 years with the Braves and his family currently resides in Georgia, both facts which we are required by law to mention in every Tom Glavine rumor post.

Its getting more and more likely that Tom Glavine will be photographed smiling with a Braves cap on while shaking Wrens hand sometime before December. But hey, on the bright side we might soon have Juan Padilla back.