Legend Anyone? Five Teams That Could Sign Tom Glavine

(Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

When the Atlanta Braves released Tom Glavine, it was widely speculated throughout baseball that he was merely dumped because Atlanta didn't feel like paying him a $1 million bonus that he would have been due if he had been called up to their Major League roster.

Motives aside, the move that has landed Glavine on the open market is one that has probably opened a lot of eyes of MLB general mangers. There are a lot of teams out there who are in dire need of another solid starting pitcher, and even though Glavine is certainly on the downward slope of his career, he could still be a good, pretty cheap addition to a team.

The question then becomes: Which team could use the services of Glavine the most? Obviously, he shouldn't be counted upon to resurrect an entire rotation, but for teams looking for good mentor-type guys who can still produce, Glavine is certainly a good guy.

Which teams could find the most use for him? There are five teams in baseball who could find some great use for him.

1. Milwaukee Brewers

When we saw the Brewers last season, their rotation was stocked with guys who could throw the ball well. Guys like CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets anchored the staff, and the pitching was good enough to win the NL Wild Card, for the team's first playoff appearance in 26 years.

This year, the team isn't exactly swimming in pitching talent. Braden Looper is 5-3, but he has an ERA of 4.65 and a WHIP of 1.39. Manny Parrra is also having a hugely disappointing season, going 3-7 thus far with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 1.83, a number that is simply painful to look at.

Also, Jeff Suppan is not pitching well at all, with an ERA over five and a 1.61 WHIP.

With these stats in mind for most of the rotation, it is pretty obvious that Glavine's experience would help solidify the fourth spot in the team's rotation and give them at least a fighting chance to win a division title in the weak NL Central.

2. Toronto Blue Jays

Since the departure of A.J. Burnett, no one has really stepped up to the rubber and delivered the consistent starts that makes for a good No. 2 guy to ace Roy Halladay, who is having a career year. 

The problems, it seems, are pretty small, but a team with as many young pitchers as the Blue Jays have can always use more veteran leadership. With three starters under the age of 30, Glavine could be an indispensable asset.

Also, Glavine would probably perform well in the spacious SkyDome (I'll be damned if I call it Rogers Centre), and his cheap contract would be a boon to a team still paying Vernon Wells big bucks.

3. Texas Rangers

In Texas, it is obviously a hitter's paradise. Guys like Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton, and Chris Davis have powered the Rangers into first place in the AL West. The question, however, is whether a team with historically weak pitching can continue to stay out in front of the Angels and Mariners in the division.

Glavine's experience would definitely be a benefit to a team that is relying on young guys like Brandon McCarthy and Scott Feldman. He also has an ability to keep the ball in the park with his good ability to mask and locate his pitches.

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