Projo Sox Blog

The Boston Red Sox have apparently added another veteran pitcher, as 41-year-old right-hander John Smoltz has reached a preliminary deal on a one-year, $5-million deal, with incentives worth another $5 million.

The deal is expected to be finalized later today, the AP reports.

The hard-throwing Smoltz, a potential Hall of Famer, made just six appearances last season before shoulder problems put him on the shelf. He needed extensive surgery on his shoulder, and probably will not make any appearances in the Boston rotation until midseason, according an earlier report on MLB.com. Before last season, Smoltz had been very durable for an aging pitcher, making 30-plus starts in three consecutive seasons from 2005 to 2007.

The Red Sox are thought to be days away from officially announcing the signing of Brad Penny, another former All-Star who was limited by injury problems in 2008.

Smoltz, who has played his entire 20-year career with the Atlanta Braves, is a 210-147 lifetime pitcher with a 3.26 E.R.A. For four seasons he served as Atlanta's closer, accumulating 154 saves, making him the only player in MLB history with 200 wins and 150 saves. He won the National League Cy Young Award in 1996 and is an eight-time All-Star.

Smoltz cannot be blamed for Atlanta's perennial struggles in the postseason: He is a lifetime 15-4, 2.65 pitcher in playoff baseball, and was the MVP of the 1992 National League Championship Series. Click here to see Smoltz's lifetime stats.

 Tags  Atlanta Braves free agency John Smoltz

Comments

Tara said:

I miss you Smoltzy, good-bye, come back next year, please.

Link | January 8, 2009 9:09 PM
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