Smoltz is finished in Boston; where to next?
It was widely assumed that John Smoltz’s brief career with the Boston Red Sox was over when Boston designated Smoltz for assignment ,last Friday after the veteran right-hander gave up eight runs in 3 1/3 innings the night before in a loss to the Yankees. In eight starts this year, Smoltz is 2-5 with an 8.33 ERA, so you can certainly understand the Red Sox’s thinking.
However, the team was open to bringing Smoltz back as a reliever when roster expanded on Sept. 1. Of course, Smoltz reinvented himself once as a closer with the Braves, but there was no chance of him closing in Boston with Jonathan Papelbon there. So Smoltz has refused the option of an assignment to the minor leagues, leaving the Red Sox with the option of either trading him or releasing him – a decision must be made by Sunday.
If Boston releases Smoltz, the Red Sox will be obligated to pay the remainder of his one-year, $5.5 million contract he signed in the offseason. So they are hoping to work out a trade where they don’t have to pay that full amount. If Smoltz simply signs with another team, Boston would receive an off-set of the pro-rated minimum salary.
Smoltz has cleared waivers, so a trade is very possible. But Smoltz has several bonus clauses in his contract that make it more likely the Red Sox would have to just release him. For example, Smoltz receives a $500,000 bonus if he is on the active roster and not the disabled list on the last day of the season and a $500,000 bonus if he is traded.
So what team might take a flier on the 42-year-old? It appears the two leading candidates are the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals. St. Louis manager Tony La Russa has admitted interest in Smoltz, but he also wants him as a reliever. Perhaps just going back to the National League would be enough for Smoltz to agree to that. The Dodgers have some issues in their rotation right now, so they might be willing to give Smoltz a chance to start.
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