I have the same questions as VolvoGirl. Having $250k of basis in nondeductible traditional IRA contributions seems a bit implausible, but not impossible.
All of your traditional IRAs are treated as one large IRA for tax purposes, so splitting a traditional IRA into two traditional IRAs has no effect on how your traditional IRA distributions are taxed.
Also, make sure that you are not confusing IRAs with employer-provided retirement accounts like 401(k)s. (Many people fail to recognize the difference.)
