John Smoltz On The Verge Of Signing With The Red Sox
January 8, 2009 by Mike
From Buster Olney:
John Smoltz has pitched his entire major league career with the Atlanta Braves, but he is on the verge of a deal with the Boston Red Sox, according to sources.
Boston’s proposed deal with Smoltz is for $5.5 million in base salary, and $5 million in incentives.
Assuming the Red Sox close out negotiations with Smoltz, they will go into spring training with six veteran starters — Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny and Smoltz. Penny agreed to terms on a one-year, $5 million deal, and will be in Boston Thursday for his physical examination.
But the Red Sox have come to believe in the idea of going into each season overloaded with starting pitching, and operating under the assumption that at some point, injuries will factor in the equation, or that some members of the rotation will need rest.
The signings of Smoltz and Penny also give the Red Sox the flexibility to consider trading one of their young starting pitchers — most notably Clay Buchholz, whose name has come up in trade talks with the Texas Rangers, for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, as well as with other teams.
-Last season Smoltz went 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA. However, for the three previous seasons, Smoltz has started at least 32 games, won at least 14, and has an ERA under 3.49. This was the best signing the Red Sox could make to combat the moves that the Yankees made. The former Atlanta Brave probably won’t be able to pitch until June, but that’s perfect for the Red Sox, it allows them to put Josh Beckett, or Dice-K on the DL to rest them, and it will also keep Smoltz fresh for the playoff run.
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