Braves general manager Frank Wren said he would get back to Glavine on Thursday, Clifton said.

"We continue to exchange ideas and try to figure out a formula that can work for both sides," Clifton said. "What we hoped to accomplish was accomplished. The dialogue remains open."

The Braves offered Glavine the chance to make $3 million — a $1 million guarantee, $1 million if he made the Opening Day roster and $1 million if he was on the roster 60 days, a source said.

Glavine, who is coming off minor elbow and shoulder operations, was seeking a guarantee of $3 million, plus incentives that could push the total value of his package into the $6 million range. He was willing to defer a portion of his salary.

The Braves are believed to have between $6 million and $8 million left to spend this offseason, and the team needs an outfielder more than a starting pitcher. Free agent outfielders Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu are off the board, leaving a trade for the Yankees' Nick Swisher as the Braves' most likely option.

Swisher and fellow Yankees outfielder Xavier Nady, two of the Braves' trade targets, will earn $6.55 million and $5.3 million this season, respectively. The Yankees are unlikely to include money in any deal — except, perhaps, if they receive higher-quality prospects in return.

Glavine, who turns 43 on March 25, returned to the Braves last season on a one-year, $8 million free-agent contract. He went 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA in 13 starts before undergoing his respective surgeries in August. He is expected to be ready for Opening Day.

The Braves are set with their first four starters — right-handers Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens, Javier Vazquez and Kenshin Kawakami. They also have four candidates for the fifth spot — lefty Jo-Jo Reyes and righties Tommy Hanson, Charlie Morton and Jorge Campillo.

Glavine initially said he only wanted to play in Atlanta; he lives with his wife and four children in Alpharetta, Ga. However, he has worked hard to rehabilitate his arm, and does not want to retire.

The Nationals would represent an obvious possibility if Glavine chose to leave the Braves — he is close with Nats president Stan Kasten, a former Braves executive.

Glavine, though, might be more inclined to consider contenders, particularly those on the east coast. He conceivably could delay signing a contract until March, when pitching openings are certain to arise due to injuries.