Smoltz Likely Headed to Red Sox
by BenMurphy on Jan.07, 2009, under News
AtlantaBraves.com and Mark Bowman’s blog are reporting that veteran pitcher, Cy Young winner, future Hall-of-Famer, and face of the Braves, John Smoltz, is likely to sign with the Red Sox tomorrow afternoon:
A Major League source who was in contact with Smoltz on Wednesday night said the 41-year-old right-hander will be calling the Braves on Thursday morning to tell them that he has decided to sign with the Red Sox..
Smoltz, who had been with the Braves since making his Major League debut in 1988, will make a guaranteed $5.5 million. The source said his offer also includes “very attainable” incentives that could raise his 2009 earnings to $10 million.
So, what does this mean for Braves fans? To be blunt, it feels like salt on a wound a dagger through the heart. The Braves’ 2008 season left a lot to be desired, and this off season has been far too quiet. With the only notable addition of Javier Vazquez, the starting rotation looks to be in worse shape than ever, raising a lot of questions in the minds of Braves fans. The loss of Smoltz, then, despite his current injury, would seem to be monumental.
Moreover, Smoltz was a player whose name has been synonymous with the Braves for over two decades and the team that I grew up with. He was the dominating pitcher for the past couple of years, which included roles both as a starter and closer. He was absolutely phenomenal and proved that when he earned his 3000 career strikeout in April last season. No longer being able to see him as a Brave is personally devastating; the face of this team just seems to be changing so quickly. It’s hard to put my emotions into words, but it feels like a cornerstone has just been ripped from the foundation of this team, and all we can do as fans is watch. Although I hope Frank Wren does something to fix it, I think I can safely say this team will never be the same.
Farewell, Smoltzie. Thanks for all of the great memories.
January 8th, 2009 on 12:17 am
It will not be the same without you Smoltz
January 8th, 2009 on 12:24 am
This really sucks. I don’t like the direction that the Braves are moving in and Smoltz was always a player I’d look up to in admiration.
January 8th, 2009 on 2:09 am
Smoltz was more then just a player. He was a Brave. He was the kind of guy I was proud to have known this team was built around when I proclaimed I was a Braves fan. It’s more then just about numbers with him. It’s about the kind of person and ball player he is.
January 8th, 2009 on 11:17 am
Not only that, but he was somebody you could build a team around. Sure, the pitching staff is going to suck next year, but at least you’d have Smoltz.
January 8th, 2009 on 7:02 pm
BRAVES “leaders” suck!
They lied to us, plain and simple. There was NO comparable offer. They may have had our support over Raffy, but not Smoltz.
This reminds me of another group of A-holes that lead the NY Mets back in the 70’s when they lost Tom Seaver – they thought he was being greedy (a-holes) – to the Reds. I gave up on the Mets then, I’m giving up on the A-hole-Braves now.
Goodbye Cable guy and Terry “the Quirk” , John Showboat-holtz, and Frank Wreck (what you’re doing to the team). A-holes forever!
January 8th, 2009 on 7:21 pm
I don’t know if I’d give up on the Braves, but I certainly don’t like the direction they’re going.
I mean, this was the same team that paid Hampton $15 million/year for three years while he didn’t throw a single pitch. Now, one of maybe three people that has been holding this team together for the past couple of seasons is leaving, and they can’t pony up more than a guaranteed $2 million for an iconic figure? Sure, they gave him incentives that would increase that salary up to $7 million, but we’re talking about more than losing a pitcher. Chipper is already not too happy about it, so is that difference of possibly $3 million that the Red Sox offered him worth the drop in morale? I don’t think so.
Besides, it’s not like Wren has been spending that money elsewhere. He’s still got another $20 million which he has barely touched, and I’d say Smoltz would’ve been a good option.