The Braves and GM Frank Wren took a HUGE PR hit this past off-season when John Smoltz decided to leave the uniform that everyone had known him to wear for 21 years. When Smoltz decided to take Boston's money over the Braves money, people were calling for Wren's head, asking how could he let the face of the Braves leave?
Ummmm, I wonder where those folks are today? Smoltz was a 40+ year old, coming off yet ANOTHER arm surgery and was not going to be in the rotation until AT LEAST JUNE. Wren wisely traded for Javier Vazquez (possibly the best pitcher the Braves have thrown out there this season. run support is plaguing him) then signed/overpaid for ace Derek Lowe. If Smoltz had been signed to the deal that the BoSox gave him (5+5) instead of the Braves offer (2+8), then the team couldn't have signed Garrett Anderson to play left and I don't believe Wren could have gotten Nate McLouth in a trade with Pittsburgh. The numbers wouldn't have added up.
Smoltz last night was chased from the Boston/Texas game after giving up a home run to Jarrod Saltalamacchia.(a guy that Wren's boss gave up in a trade for Teixeira) Smoltz took the loss to drop to 1-3. While players say that Smoltz can still chuck it up there, the guy is 42 and has missed chunks of seasons throughout his career, and while YES, he IS the winningest postseason pitcher ever, let's just hope he stays healthy enough to get to the mound this season with Boston. It isn't 1996 anymore. I hate writing that, but I believe it. Do I think that the Sox Skipper puts Smoltz on the hill over Beckett in a must-win game? NO. Would the Braves do that THIS SEASON? I don't know. Jurrjens has pitched well. Vazquez has too. Heck, Hanson might even get a thought-bubble from me after his 11 Ks last night.
Bottom line is letting Smoltz walk away might have angered some folks in the short term, but it was best for John (he has another chance at a ring) and it was best for the Braves (payroll flexibility and the emergence of Hanson). Wren knows what he's doing. I wish he would have gotten more for Tex, but I wish JS had never made that trade to begin with. It appears he knows whom to hold onto and whom to let go. Good call on Hanson, smart move with Smoltz and Glavine, shrewd move getting McLouth, excellent getting ANYTHING for Frenchy.
Kudos to you Wren. You keep those earmuffs on. The Smoltz fans and Frenchy fans will come back, hopefully this time as BRAVES fans.
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