Hot- Stove

SAN DIEGO — Greg Maddux isn’t exactly the nostalgic type. But he admits that he allowed himself to think about the possibility that he was facing the Braves for the final time in his career on Saturday night at PETCO Park.

“I did, but I’ve thought about that every time I’ve faced them over the last couple of years,” Maddux said before the start of Sunday afternoon’s series finale between the Padres and Braves at PETCO Park.

What differentiates this year from the previous ones is the fact that Maddux has admitted retirement is a strong possibility at the end of this season. He provided initial indication before Spring Training and he’s still carrying the same train of thought.

“I’m probably thinking about it more,” Maddux said. “We’ll see. We’ll play out the year. Hopefully I get a chance to decide.”

With this potential retirement right around the corner, it seems very likely that Maddux will never again face the Braves, who employed him while he notched 194 of his 350 career wins from 1993-2003. If this is the case, he provided a good last impression, allowing them three earned runs in seven innings on Saturday night.

When asked where he could see himself playing during the final two months of this season, Maddux said, “Here or for the Dodgers, but I don’t think the Dodgers need any pitching.”

Because the Braves are focused on developing their young pitchers and seemingly have a greater need to acquire offensive help, there is a very slim chance they’d attempt to acquire him and assume the approximate $3.33 million salary remaining on his contract for this year.

If the Braves came calling, Maddux says he’d likely approve the trade because his family would approve of the two-month transition back to the East Coast. His wife, Kathy, and his children visited friends in Atlanta for the Fourth of July.

Still it doesn’t seem to be a fit for the Braves and that is why Maddux might never again pitch in the presence of Cox. The Braves aren’t scheduled to play the Dodgers or Padres again this season.

Greg Maddux to the Braves? It’s a rumor that never quite dies. And it sure isn’t impossible, if the price is right. But clubs that have spoken with the Braves say they’re more focused on trying to find a younger starting pitcher they can hang onto for just the last few months of this season. So think more along the lines of the non-free agents who could pop onto the market (though not necessarily these names in particular) — Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Bronson Arroyo, Daniel Cabrera, Jeremy Bonderman, etc.