Glavine Agrees to Join Mets

Tom Glavine, the most sought-after pitcher on the open market, reached agreement with the New York Mets on a three-year contract Thursday.

Glavine’s deal is believed to be worth $35 million, with an option for a fourth year that could make the deal worth $42.5 million.

Glavine, 36, had spent his whole career with the Atlanta Braves, winning two Cy Young Awards and posting five 20-win seasons.

But their NL East rivals, the Mets and Phillies, showed much more interest in the left-hander than his old team. So it came down to a choice between New York and Philadelphia.

“It was one of the toughest decisions he’s ever had to make,” said his agent, Gregg Clifton. “There wasn’t really one thing that decided it. He just made a decision.”

The Mets said the deal was subject to Glavine passing a physical. That shouldn’t be a problem -- he hasn’t been on the disabled list since making his major league debut with Atlanta in 1987.

Glavine did not return a telephone message left at his home.

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The Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres agreed to trade Ken Griffey Jr. for Phil Nevin, but the deal died when Nevin wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause.

Nevin said Thursday that he told Padre General Manager Kevin Towers that he wants to stay in San Diego.

A baseball source confirmed that the teams agreed to the swap over the Thanksgiving weekend.

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St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Andy Benes made his retirement official, telling General Manager Walt Jocketty during an hour-long meeting.