It is now official. I was holding off on writing this (and holding out hope) that it was just a rumor, but now it appears that John Smoltz will in fact be leaving the Braves, the only major league team he has ever suited up for in his 21 year major league career. The 42 year old right hander will sign with the Boston Red Sox of the American League for what is believed to be a $5.5M guaranteed contract with an extra 5M in incentives. The Braves are believed to have only offered $2.5M guaranteed with incentives that could have taken it to over $10M.
Smoltz earned $14M last season but missed most of the season after having rotator cuff and labrum surgery. It was the fourth arm/elbow surgery that Smoltz has endured during his Hall of Fame-worthy career. He is the only pitcher in major league history with 200+ wins (210), 150+ saves (154) and 3000+ strikeouts. The ex-Braves pitcher appeared in over 700 games and was a Cy Young award winner in 1996. Smoltz was listed as a Class B free agent, meaning the Braves will receive a compensation pick "sandwiched" between the first and second rounds of the 2009 MLB draft.
Now that Smoltz has left for the American League, where pitchers of course do not hit, the Braves rotation is even thinner. Smoltz was not expected back until late May, according to doctors, but several Braves officials speculated that he could have been ready to pitch in April after watching the ace throw off of the mound in December. Now Jair Jurrjens will head the rotation with Javier Vazquez and Jorge Campillo. Tim Hudson is expected to return from Tommy John surgery in late August and Tom Glavine could return, but he is undecided on whether he wants to continue his career.
The team is still reportedly looking for an ace in the free agent market, with Derek Lowe expected to visit Turner Field today to meet with Braves officials. He reportedly already has an offer of 3 years/$36M from the NY Mets with the Red Sox also interested.
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