Not that Smoltz simply wants more money, although he could use it to support Kings Ridge, the local school he was instrumental in starting. He didn't want the money for the money's sake; he wanted it for respect. He wanted it because that is a symbol that the Braves believe in him.

He wanted the Braves to put a chunk of guaranteed money on the table to show that they believe and understand that if any pitcher could come back and produce at the major league level after having a nearly sure-fire, career-ending surgical procedure on his shoulder, that pitcher would be Smoltz.

The Braves took the prudent course of waiting to see how Smoltz was progressing. He showed them in December workouts for manager Bobby Cox and pitching coach Roger McDowell.

General manager Frank Wren, while pleased and hopeful, continued to say the organization would wait until spring to see how Smoltz was coming along before offering a contract. Prudent. Understandable.

Unless you are Smoltz. Unless you have already taken less money to stay in Atlanta in the past -- many millions less than offered by the Yankees the last time Smoltz was a free agent. Unless you believe you have shown you are the one in a million who will come back after such surgery as he underwent last June.

Smoltz, consistently three to six weeks ahead in his rehab, astounding

Dr. James Andrews, who performed the surgery, believes he earned the benefit of the doubt.

He isn't wrong. But no matter how good his 2009 season is for Boston -- and it probably will start in May or June -- it likely would not have helped the Braves. They need too much more than any one pitcher can deliver.

Still, this is another instance of the Braves thinking they are operating from strength, when in fact, Atlanta is no longer a choice destination.