Is Tom Glavine an Option For the Chicago Cubs?

On Wednesday afternoon, the Atlanta Braves released future Hall of Fame starting pitcher Tom Glavine.

Glavine, who had just made what appeared to be his final rehab start on Tuesday after offseason shoulder and elbow surgeries, is now looking for options to pitch in the majors again at age 43.

Would Glavine make sense in Chicago?

The Cubs have shown a few things over the last few seasons, with the same issues being magnified this year: The team lacks a calm, veteran, championship presence on the roster.

Calm? Check. Veteran? How does 305 wins sound? And championship resume? There aren't many better than Glavine.

The Cubs are currently dealing with a suspended (and apparently unable-to-catch-the-team-flight) Carlos Zambrano, an injured Rich Harden, and a bullpen that lacks a left handed starter. Rookie Randy Wells has pitched exceedingly well in the absences of Zambrano and Harden, and would figure to have assured himself a spot in the rotation once Zambrano returns this weekend.

Ted Lilly and Ryan Dempster figure to continue in their roles as second and third starters in the rotation.

Where Glavine might make sense for the Cubs is on a few fronts.

First, he would come cheap. Because of his age, relative fragility, and recent release from Atlanta, the list of potential suitors won't be very long. If Cubs' GM Jim Hendry is financially shackled by the pending, and increasingly questionable, sale of the team, Glavine wouldn't put a dent in the bottom line.

Secondly, he has the pedigree to help grow the character and chemistry of the team. Though he has only been a part of three professional sports franchises (Atlanta, the New York Mets and Los Angeles Kings hockey team), his leadership has never been questioned. Even when he was pitching next to Greg Maddux and John Smoltz, teammates deferred to Glavine.

Third, he's a winner. He's been a part of perhaps the greatest decade in baseball dominance of the last 30 years, as the Braves stayed on the throne in the National League East longer than most pitchers' careers last.

Fourth, and perhaps the most important, is the limited expectations and role that Glavine would require. With the continually questionable health of Rich Harden making him an uncertainty for the rest of the season, the Cubs lack depth in their starting rotation.

Manager Lou Piniella has openly lusted after a rotation with two left handed starters during his entire tenure in Chicago; Glavine would allow Piniella to move Sean Marshall to the bullpen full time and have Lilly and Glavine fill the rotation.

It might be a long shot. It might be another injury-prone, aging star that isn't worth the salary. But for the low cost huge reward dynamic in this potential signing, I think adding Tom Glavine to the Cubs roster is an idea worth exploring.