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Talking Retirement: Smoltz, Trachsel, Mercker

By Tim Dierkes [June 4, 2008 at 9:18am CST]

Today we've got a trio of pitchers who may be ready to call it quits.

John Smoltz will have season-ending shoulder surgery. Retirement is not out of the question, but right now he's got his eye on returning in '09.
Jeff Zrebiec talked with Steve Trachsel in spring; he'll probably retire if the Orioles release him.
Hal McCoy expects Kent Mercker to hang it up. He's on the 60-day DL with a sore back.

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Comments

Smoltz has already done a radio interview. He is getting a season ending surgery, but he's going to continue to travel with the team. He's going to try to come back, but obviously, he won't know until after the surgery. There's also a press conference later.

Posted by: OldDutchPots | June 04, 2008 at 09:56 AM

Braves need a starter. I guess they'll call up Morton. Just don't trade the farm for Blanton et al.

Posted by: Land-Man | June 04, 2008 at 09:57 AM

Would be a damn shame if Smoltz couldnt at least make it through the season. The guy is a warrior and would hate to see him have to hang em up due to this injury.

Posted by: thedeuce | June 04, 2008 at 09:58 AM

I don't think it will be the end of the road for Smoltz, assuming they don't find anything in the surgery that they're not expecting. The guy knows his arm better than anyone and if he can come back, then I believe he will. He's continued to defy the predictions of what he can or can't do.

He's still got nasty stuff, so as long as his shoulder can go through the rigors next year, I think he'll be back.

Posted by: TwoNateShow | June 04, 2008 at 10:21 AM

Here's a hillarious one. Smoltz doesn't get the surgery until the off-season. They trade for Maddux, go to the playoffs, and Smoltz emerges from the pen and pulls a Schilling-like gutty performance so the Braves can make it to the World Series one last time with the big three. LOL, get out the crazy movie script!

I do wonder why Morton needs more seasoning in the minors. But ponder this, he Smoltz retires, they have a TON of money going into the off-season. Tex, Smoltz, Glavine, Hampton off the payroll.

Posted by: TheBaseballOpinion | June 04, 2008 at 10:23 AM

The worst part about Smoltz and Mercker is that they were still doing well when they played.

Posted by: Bank Street Grounds | June 04, 2008 at 10:26 AM

I bet the Braves really regret not making that Arroyo-Escobar trade now.

Posted by: quantumfootball | June 04, 2008 at 10:27 PM

You value Arroyo waaaayyyy too much. Yes, the Braves need another proven starter, but Escobar for Arroyo is not the right answer!

Posted by: BBFAN46 | June 05, 2008 at 06:46 AM

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Talking Retirement: Smoltz, Trachsel, Mercker

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