Smoltz leaning toward signing with Red Sox
by Randy Booth on Jan 7, 2009 10:17 PM EST
in News
73 comments
With the Rocco Baldelli news comes the Sox might sign veteran starter John Smoltz as well:
Baldelli and now Smoltz? Yes, ma'am!The Sox are also trying to hash out an agreement with veteran free-agent right-hander John Smoltz, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. Smoltz, 41, would likely not be able to play until late May, but the Sox normally overstaff their starting rotation to account for injuries as they did with Bartolo Colon last season.
As of last night, sources indicated that Smoltz was leaning toward Boston's offer which was said to be somewhere in the vicinity of $5.5 million guaranteed with the opportunity to earn a few million in incentives which could hike the salary up to $10 million. The Sox and Smoltz have been talking since before the Winter Meetings. The Sox do not anticipate that Smoltz will be ready until later in May, but one of the incentives being discussed would be a roster bonus if he's with the team by June 1.
0 recs |
73 comments
Email
Print
Comments
That's a lot of guaranteed dough.
But screw it, he’s worth it just to sit in the dugout in Spring Training and exude coolness around Buch, Bowden and Masterson.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on Jan 7, 2009 10:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Compare it to Penny’s contract. Penny got $5 M guaranteed, and on their best days, Smoltz is better. They both have injury history, so I think it works…
by Randy Booth on Jan 7, 2009 10:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
$5 million is middle reliever money
If you can sign an effective starter for that, it’s a steal.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Jan 7, 2009 11:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, we don't have to pay Teixeira...
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.
by SoxDevil on Jan 8, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Like this move
Takes pressure off every one in the rotation, and it gives us somehow cheap depth.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 7, 2009 10:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Plus
Smoltzy can contribute in the ’pen. Love it.
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on Jan 7, 2009 10:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Oh, now he's "Smoltzy"
:-)
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Jan 7, 2009 11:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It was that...
… or El Smoltzinator. I started calling Teixeira “Tex” prematurely, and now I’m sheepish…
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on Jan 8, 2009 12:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That happened fast.
I do some homework and watch the Celtics (ouch, another loss), and BAM! I come back to the magical internets to find that we are close on Baldelli AND Smoltz. Both are great moves.
We now have 6 bona fide starters in the rotation (Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, Smoltz, Penny, Wake). There are a few injury concerns/possibilities in there but that’s the beauty of having six, plus Bowden, Buccholz, and Masterson waiting in the wings.
As for Baldelli, I don’t think I need to go into what he brings to the Sox, as it’s already been discussed sufficiently. In three words or less: depth, bench, flexability.
It’s little moves like these that make me more optimistic going into 2009. Classic Theo.
by Schulz on Jan 7, 2009 11:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Plus
It’s been a while since we had an italian. I think.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on Jan 7, 2009 11:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Graffanino
"no1 has time to read your long comments, are you writing a book?"
by britsoxfan on Jan 8, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
C's lost to the Rockets, no less
The Rockets were playing some of the worst basketball I’ve ever seen, things are getting ugly. Mid-season slump I guess, but that bench is bad and Perkins is looking like dead meat right now.
For some reason, the local TV had IND @ PHX. Danny Granger killed the game with a 3. Brings back memories of Reggie Miller and the sweet shot he had, he is maybe my favorite non-Celtics player ever. Granger has a bit of Miller in him, that kid is amazing. I wouldn’t mind seeing Larry’s team making the playoffs, it’s not like they’re worse than the Bucks or something.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 8, 2009 12:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
MLBtraderumors
Now has the headline “Smoltz to sign with Red Sox”, so I think we can consider this a done deal.
by Gnick on Jan 7, 2009 11:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure if this is serious.
I mean, I like mlbtraderumors, but I’d hardly consider them a credible source.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on Jan 7, 2009 11:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Huh
The best part is this quote:
Olney wonders if Boston’s rotation surplus will allow them to trade a young starter.
Yeah, Pauley for McCann. DO IT NOW!!!
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 8, 2009 12:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If we must...
Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 8, 2009 7:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Signings
Smoltz is a great signing because of the depth he brings to both the rotation and the bullpen where he has had great success in both areas. If both Wakefield and Penny stay healthy, along with the rest of the rotation, when Smoltz comes back in early June (most likely) he can add depth to the bullpen.
Not so excited about the Baldelli. He has shown, the last few years, that he can’t play extended periods of time. Why then, knowing you have brittle JD Drew in the outfield, sign a 4th outfielder who may not be able to play back to back days? He hasn’t even put up overwhelming numbers when he has played. He has a huge upside but his mitochondria simply won’t allow him to live up to that potential.
by desmet on Jan 8, 2009 12:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Baldelli will play 2-3 times a week
Especial against LHP. Should one of our outfielders go down with an injury, the Sox will bring up somebody like Van Every to play with Baldelli. He has to prove his health before he is ready to play every day. You gotta love the guy as our #4OF though.
by Schulz on Jan 8, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
IF this happens its a smart move
If he’s healthy to pitch in May/June he will provide insurance as a starter and/or in the bull pen.
In the bullpen, not just in long relief, but if anything happens to Papelbon, Smoltz can fill that role as well
Career ERA of 3.26 is sweet, and I the $$$ is fair.
I hope this happens!
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
by CubFreak on Jan 8, 2009 12:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I am kind of hesitant about Smoltz
Smoltz is going to the Hall of Fame, but he had a pretty serious shoulder injury last season, I would sign Smoltz to be more of a leader in the bullpen or the clubhouse. I don’t think he can be a starting pitcher. I think if he is healthy, he can be a great bridge, and give Okajima some rest, or help out Masterson…
The Braves had a pretty big contract with Smoltz, that I believed ran to 2010, so I am guessing they know more than the Sox about Smoltz’s condition if they let him go.
He is a big name, but there is a big chance that his pitching days are over, or he won’t be the pitcher, whether starter or reliever that he once was with Atlanta.
by superferret on Jan 8, 2009 3:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
The Braves had no contract with Smoltz beyond this past season.
And honestly, Smoltz is just in the throw it at the wall pile right now. Consider.
Given health, Daisuke, Becks, Lester, and Wake all have rotation spots locked down.
Let me interrupt that thought by saying: Wake is done being a relief pitcher. He’ll be a starter or he won’t be pitching. If anyone runs across Buster Olney, Jon Heyman, or anyone who has made that suggestion, please write that on the cover of a heavy book and hit them in the face with it.
So basically, we’ve got Brad Penny, John Smoltz (frontrunner, assuming health), Clay Buchholz, and (darkhorse) Michael Bowden competing for one spot. I’m not upset with our situation at all. Any of those 4 could also be up for the 4th starter spot if Wake decides to (and I’m sure I’m not the only one to have seen this “whispered” around the interwebs) retire.
In any case, we have Becks, Lester, and Daisuke in front of some combination of Wakefield, Smoltz, Penny, Buchholz, and Bowden. Even if Smoltz or Penny doesn’t work out, we’re still in good shape.
"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"
by Allen Chace on Jan 8, 2009 4:16 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Absolutely
Additionally, the Sox are big on measuring and quantifying the health of their players (incl. pitchers) proactively* – attempting to determine exactly how many innings they can work in what timeframe, and not waiting until a player physically can’t take the field before they go to the DL, probably allowing more 15-day trips and less 60-day trips. I think that having the “wall-throw” pile allows the Sox to find higher quality innings for these shorter “preventative” DL stints which the Sox probably project for their guys going into the season. While the Sox obviously do consider their pitchers as SP1-SP5, I think they view some of them as “X innings guy” too.
In theory, this prevents the necessity of Charlie Zink or Pauley appearing on the major-league roster.
———-
* – is that a word yet?
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on Jan 8, 2009 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
"In theory, this prevents the necessity of Charlie Zink or Pauley appearing on the major-league roster."
This is the best part about this signing. Great insurance move, to make sure we don’t have to throw any scrubs on the mound.
by Schulz on Jan 8, 2009 12:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
we need the depth
Schilling was in our own system and they couldnt quantify his health but they still signed him to 8 mill and got shit. I like the Smoltz contract if this is the final number. But you cant tell me when a guys going to be hurt or not. Beckett , Penny, Wakefield, Smoltz they dont know what these guys are going do.It sounds like preventive maintance to me ,what if all those guys were on the dl then the depth makes sense.I hate giving up pitching but were still fucked at catcher.
by Red Sox #1 Fan on Jan 8, 2009 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Smoltz won't be available until May,
thats what I’ve heard at least. So by that time if Penny and Wake are pitching well, we’ll throw him in the pen. If not, he can start. Either way, it means there will be no rushing of Bowden or Buch this season.
by BTLove on Jan 8, 2009 11:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh go on then. Have a rec.
"no1 has time to read your long comments, are you writing a book?"
by britsoxfan on Jan 8, 2009 4:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
It'll be a shame to see him leave Atlanta
He’s been a bigger fixture here than Chipper or Glavine.
Of course, as a Red Sox fan, I only see the upside of this signing. Maybe he can get some measure of retribution against the Yankees.
"and THAT happened" -John Mayer announcing Pedrioa at-bat in Tokyo
by DJDP23 on Jan 8, 2009 5:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Desmet, Rocco has had tests that it’s not a mitochondrial disorder he has, so he should be healthy enough to come off the bench more often and be a bigger producer. Also, if need comes, there are always some young AAA players, or theo could sign my personal favorite, Adam Dunn to provide extra insurance. And I think that we go to Atlanta this season, so if he’s healthy then, he should get a nice Standing Ovation there…
"We're not going to give up," It doesn't happen, so who cares? There's always next year. It's not like it's the end of the world."
by revigik on Jan 8, 2009 10:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
With Smoltz you get a guy
who knows how to win, is great in the clubhouse with his unselfish attitude and likability with this peers, and a guy who can help the younger pitchers. Not a bad deal. Sign him..
by ccthemovieman on Jan 8, 2009 11:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yes, Yes, Yes
One of my favorite players. Smoltz is nails. The guy is a stud, a Yankee killer and he will be great for our young staff. When the playoffs start he can be the 8th inning guy with Okie.
Baldelli, Bard, Smoltz, Penny…fantastic pick ups.
Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, Penny, Smoltz – Thats a very sexy rotation.
by SoxAcumen on Jan 8, 2009 11:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Is the Smoltz deal a setup for another bigger deal?
Could the Sox be making a move to send Buchholz or Bowden in a package for Salty? Or Salty and Young?
by SoxAcumen on Jan 8, 2009 11:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
OR a H. Ramirez deal?
Buchholz + Ellsbury/Lowrie + others for Hanley Ramirez?
I have to think that Florida will listen since they always listen to offers.
by SoxAcumen on Jan 8, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why would the Marlins trade Hanley
For anything less than Buchholz, Ellsbury, Lars Anderson, Bowden, and another player? They don’t have to move him for a few years.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Jan 8, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hanley for Buchholz, Ellsbury or Lowrie + Anderson.
Where do I sign?
by SoxAcumen on Jan 8, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's not what I said
I said they’d want at least the Sox three best prospects—Buchholz, Bowden, and Anderson—plus Ellsbury and more. Hanley isn’t going anywhere. The more might include Masterson or Lester, as both are MLB ready.
Forget about Hanley. The Sox aren’t getting him any time soon.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Jan 8, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It's possible they move him towards the end of his contract
Which is around 2013 it think…
Long way off.
by Schulz on Jan 8, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If they were to move him, that’s when they’d do it.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Jan 8, 2009 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Possibly
I’m liking Salty because right now we have no backup 1B, and I don’t like using a roster spot for that purpose. Say a trade like this goes down. Our 25-man depth chart looks like this:
C: Salty, Bard, Kottaras.
1B: Youk, Salty.
2B: Pedroia, Lugo.
SS: Lowrie, Lugo.
3B: Lowell, Youk, Lugo.
LF: Bay, Baldelli.
CF: Ellsbury, Baldelli.
RF: Drew, Baldelli.
DH: Ortiz
SP: Beckett
SP: Lester
SP: Dice-K
SP: Smoltz
SP: Penny
SP: Wakefield
CL: Papelbon
RP: Okajima
RP: Masterson
RP: Ramirez
RP: Delcarmen
RP: Lopez
by Schulz on Jan 8, 2009 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm still not on the Saltalamacchia bandwagon
The guy has always been over-hyped and he doesn’t strike me as anything special at the MLB level.
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.
by SoxDevil on Jan 8, 2009 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like Salty. I think he’d be a great fit for the Sox. His defense has always been questioned, but he also hasn’t been able to consistently stay behind the plate and work on it. I was told he thinks he’d perform better as a full-time starter.
by Randy Booth on Jan 8, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In a five day rotation,
I’d give him 3 starts at C and one at 1B/DH to give Lowell, Papi, or Youk a day off.
by Schulz on Jan 8, 2009 12:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Salty makes little sense for the Sox unless he can catch (not a sure thing)
Lars Anderson, the Sox’ best prospect, plays 1B and figures to be a much better hitter than Salty. Also, I don’t think the Sox will trade Buchholz or Bowden and Masterson, which is what Texas is asking for.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Jan 8, 2009 12:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This is the truth, right here.
"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"
by Allen Chace on Jan 8, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Personally,
I can’t handle the truth.
"no1 has time to read your long comments, are you writing a book?"
by britsoxfan on Jan 8, 2009 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Jan 8, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
... with SoxDevil
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Jan 8, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think we need to see Salty play a full season in the bigs, maybe two. That would give us a better picture.
by Randy Booth on Jan 8, 2009 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
By that time
He may be more expensive or worthless.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Jan 8, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
True, but I’d like to see what he can do as a full-time starter, as a Red Sox or not.
by Randy Booth on Jan 8, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It depends on what you have to give up to get him. I never like giving up much of value for “project” players. To me, Salty is a work in progress.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Jan 8, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Huh?
What prospect isn’t a ‘project’ player? It’s not like Salty is in his first season, he has been around quite a bit even being young. He has questions of sticking at catcher, he’s not becoming a catcher now so he’s not a project.
I’m not saying we should do any deal for Salty, but he has a far higher upside than any other catcher in our farm.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 8, 2009 5:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Salty is a "project"
Because his defensive skills are lacking. He has to learn his craft, so he is a work in progress—and, thus, a “project.” His defense wasn’t great in the minors, and he isn’t sure to stick at catcher. I’m not sure he hits well enough to be a 1B.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Jan 8, 2009 5:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, he's defense is not great
But he has a good, strong body to be a catcher, he’s well built to be a ML catcher. He needs to refine his game, and while he’ll never be a elite defensive catcher I think he’ll do pretty good.
Or he don’t refine his game at all, and has to play 1B. But he has the tools to stick at catcher.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 8, 2009 7:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If Salty can't catch, fuck it.
The guy probably won’t be a better hitter than Carter or Bailey, much less Lars. So if he can’t catch there is not reason to even think about him.
by BTLove on Jan 8, 2009 11:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thing is
He can catch. He sucks at it, and could improve.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 9, 2009 1:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
= project.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on Jan 9, 2009 1:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Any young player is a project
Tacoby looked like a sure thing a year ago, now he has a massive hole in his swing.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 9, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
There's a big difference
It’s one thing to say a player has to make adjustments. It’s another to say he needs work on playing his primary position.
Salty’s value is in being a good hitting catcher. If he can’t play the position, his value decreases greatly, as good hitting for a catcher doesn’t necessarily mean good hitting for another position. Also, a catcher’s defensive ability affects his overall worth. Unless Salty can hit like Mike Piazza in his prime, he better learn his craft soon.
Can Salty improve behind the plate? Sure. But until he does, he is a “project.” In contrast, Ellsbury can play CF at a pretty high level. He runs the bases well, and can handle most pitches. He needs to stop swinging for the fences and close a hole in his swing.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Jan 9, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I know you didn't make it up...
… but what’s the fascination with Young? I think that’s a writer making stuff up:
The Sox lose out on Tex, and inquire about HanRam (meeting with a brusque “no thank you, sir”), and then someone desperate to fill print inches starts conjecturing about other people who can hit (like Tex and Hanley), play SS (like Hanley), and who play for a team we might trade with (Rangers, who still are willing to accept “only” Buccholz, Masteron, Exposito, Pedroia, Einstein, Superman and Tyrannosaurus Rex for Saltalamacchiato), and bingo: Michael Young!
I’m thinking that Lowrie delivers comparable performance for much less…
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on Jan 8, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and OT
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on Jan 8, 2009 5:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Supposedly
the Sox inquired about Hanley before Tanksgiving, well before the Tex market shaped up.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on Jan 8, 2009 7:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good move for Atlanta. We need more new blood and less Smoltzie and Glavine. Red Sox will find out soon enough.
by AtlantaGuy on Jan 8, 2009 2:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but
I was just looking at Atlanta’s rotation.
1. Vasquez
2. Jurrjens
3. ?Campillo?
4. ?Reyes?
5. ???
You guys better hope they sign Lowe.
by DirtySouthSox on Jan 8, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s a lot of literal question marks….
by Randy Booth on Jan 8, 2009 7:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The last 2 spots go to fans in a lottery.
"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"
by Allen Chace on Jan 9, 2009 4:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Umm...
why the “ma’am” at the end? Is Theo’s lady running the show?
I can hear the clock ticking and my heart beating. I can see individual pixels of the TV picture. I can hear the caution in the opponent's voice. I can smell the fear in the sweat of the opponent's fans. I can taste... THE CHAMPIONSHIP. I AM IN CHAMPIONSHIP MODE.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 9, 2009 6:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mrs. Teixeira...
…because apparently she’s got his balls in a handbag. Does she tell what pitches to swing at too?
God, it’s gonna be fun booing him.*
______________
* – while not admitting I would have liked to have him (though not at $212MM for 10yrs.)
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on Jan 9, 2009 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep.
Lowell should peg him as Tex runs to first.
I can hear the clock ticking and my heart beating. I can see individual pixels of the TV picture. I can hear the caution in the opponent's voice. I can smell the fear in the sweat of the opponent's fans. I can taste... THE CHAMPIONSHIP. I AM IN CHAMPIONSHIP MODE.
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 9, 2009 8:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
