Smoltz to the Red Sox?!

The other day I was struggling to think how the Braves’ offseason could get any worse. I’ll admit that this development hadn’t occurred to me:

John Smoltz is leaving Atlanta for the most stunning of destinations.

The Boston Red Sox.

Smoltz, 41, is on the verge of signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Red Sox, according to major-league sources.

The deal also will include $4.5 million in incentives, giving Smoltz the chance to earn a total of $10 million, sources said.

If anyone needs me I’ll be over in the corner wishing it was 1995 again.


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Jason @ IIATMS
15 years ago

I think the Braves made the right call.  The financial risk for maybe half a year is not a prudent decision. 

We owe our heroes our admiration, adoration but we don’t necessarily owe them their last contract.

Who knows what Smoltz can do this year?  Wasn’t this supposed to be a career-ender?  What if it really is?  Would you, Braves fans, want that $5.5m of dead money on your payroll when you’re trying to rebuild? 

The Sox can swallow the dead money but not the Braves.  Let them take that risk.

cpeterson
15 years ago

wow. It’s been a long time since an offseason move made me incredulous of the Hardball reporting. Tell me you are not serious.
I’ll be at the Diamond in Richmond, wishing it was 1988.

The Common Man
15 years ago

Just keep watching the Baseball Network, Craig, they recounted the entire 1995 season last night.

Rob
15 years ago

My guess is that many Sox fans will be wishing it was 1995 again, too.

MooseinOhio
15 years ago

@Rob – As a Sox fan I do not want to go back to the John Harrington management days as John Henry et al have certain shown that well managemd Red Sox team can win WS and that Fenway could be happening location and a more fan friendly location (if you can ever get a ticket).

APBA Guy
15 years ago

We’re experiencing the opposite of Smoltz leaving out here, namely, Giambi returning. If we can get Miggy back, and Hudson and Mulder…or was it Scully and Mulder? It’s been so long….

Jason @ IIATMS
15 years ago

APBA Guy,

I hear the BALCO staff is out of jail and Giambi actually did bring his trainer back with him to OAK.

Rob
15 years ago

@Moose – Trust me.  I remember 1995 in Boston.  Mo Vaughn at first (MVP! MVP!), Valentin at short, Wakefield and his ridiculous 1.61 ERA on an afternoon in July…

I remember 1996, too.

But what I meant to say was that on days when Smoltz toes the rubber, I’m imagining a lot of groaning at Fenway as yet another opposing batter flips a pop fly into the Monster seats in the top of the third.  It is at those moments when Sox fans might wish they had the 1995 version of John Smoltz wearing the home whites.

Eric
15 years ago

i heard this about a month ago and was very excited. i’m glad its happening.

smoltz versatility will be a nice addition.

crowhop
15 years ago

This is a tough one to swallow.  Being a life-long Braves fan, Smoltz has always be my guy moreso than Maddux, Glavine, Chipper, Lemke…etc.
The Sox were my #2 team for a long time, but that kinda ended when they became The Red Sawx. 

What happened to the reports the Braves had all this “excess” money to spend this offseason because of all the dead weight coming off the books?  Blame it on the economy, I suppose.  With a lineup composed of only 2 plus players (and one of those is injury prone), could the Braves win 70 games?

Bronxinvictus71
15 years ago

I would much rather have a developing Phil Hughes at the five spot with no pressure on him,then old man Smoltz becoming a home run dispensing machine with the monster eating up a myriad of balls this summer.I just wish we had a chance to bring a last title to the old ballpark in the Bronx!