THURSDAY, 6:12pm: There has been "increased momentum" towards an agreement between the Mets and John Smoltz, writes Ken Davidoff of Newsday. It's believed that the 42-year-old is seeking $4MM guaranteed, plus performance bonuses.
Though the Mets have yet to make Smoltz a formal offer, they have expressed enthusiasm about bringing him aboard. Likewise, the righty is encouraged by their level of interest.
8:44am: Smoltz could take the Pedro Martinez path and sign mid-season, believes a source of Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News. Pedro signed with the Phillies in July and made his debut a month later.
WEDNESDAY, 9:58am: John Smoltz will fit with almost any club, assuming he comes cheaply. It's unknown whether he can provide significant innings in 2010 as a 43-year-old, but there's something left in the tank given his 73 strikeouts and 18 walks in 78 innings last year. He's a potential weapon in the back end of a rotation or a bullpen.
Mike Puma of the New York Post says that with Ben Sheets and Jon Garland off the board, Smoltz could be the "last man standing" for the Mets. While they've been in contact, Puma believes the Mets aren't willing to spend much. Meanwhile, David Waldstein of the New York Times believes Jarrod Washburn is a possibility for the Mets.
Bob Klapisch of The Bergen Record wrote today that Smoltz is "believed to be leaning toward the Cardinals," but Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cards "appear unlikely to engage" Smoltz given their Rich Hill signing yesterday.
The Phillies and Nationals have been linked to Smoltz this winter, though the Phils may be set after reaching an agreement with Jose Contreras.
Hopefully the Nats take him. A Brave for so many years and now the only ones interested in him will land in their own Division? It’d be sad if he goes to the Mets. That’d make two of the Trio who went to the Mets after leaving the Braves. Hopefully, if he does, he ends up the same as Glavine.
Glavine gave the Mets 1000 IP over 5 years with an ERA of 3.97 (ERA+ of 107).
I’d take that from Smoltz.
Obviously not the years/innings, but a 3.97 ERA? Sure.
Smoltz is done. Let Neise pitch
Hey I’m in agreement. I’d just let Niese in the rotation. I was just saying Glavine did a fine job in NY. He gets villified for his last start, which just so happened to be a disaster.
Glavine was Ok, but we overpaid for him, and his last 3 starts were a disaster in 2007, plus his game 5 NLCS start was brutal (to be fair we won 2 playoff games).
unfortunately there’s no room with the nats, either. all those young arms are getting smart-ified jason marquis-style*.
*denotes a terrible style
The mets wont sign smoltz. Their trend this offseason has been to talk about things but just never do them. I guess they think that Perez and Pelfrey will magically get back to form, and Maine will be healthy. Pitchers and catchers havent even reported, and this season already looks to be a train wreck…
somewhere jason bay and kelvim escobar just shared a sad embrace.
Its been brutal. I wil be rooting for Reyes, Wright, and Santana to return to form and for Ike Davis to come up at some point. Everything else looks bad – including Beltran
I’m curious to see what happens with Davis. If he continues to progress in the minors, you have to figure he’s up around mid-season…if he’s legit that’d be a huge hole filled for the Mets.
I just can’t see Murphy as a solution at 1st.
I 100 pct agree with you
Murphy definitely isn’t the answer, but I do hope he steps up to some degree so there is trade value once Ike comes up. You never know what midseason can bring, especially if theres a new GM in town (fingers crossed).
I know they say GM’s dont get fired mid-season too often…but I think it’s got to be coming for Omar. No real decision-making left (from the reports of everything going through Wilpon), a team that doesn’t seem to have firm direction, all the problems and questions with the FO overriding the medical staff…
Honestly I’m surprised he wasn’t fired this offseason.
I wonder what Smoltz would settle for? He would be excellent for the Yanks bullpen in the 8th inning role.
yeah, smoltz has been money in the al east. good thought.
A) Smoltz was fresh off of re-hab. B) Lots of pitchers struggle as starters and then thrive in limited roles out of the pen. C) Despite his struggles with Boston his walk to ko rate was still strong. If he were willing to settle for a low base he might be intertesting out the pen.
ok, to be clear, there are a few reasons to think that smoltz might not suck as part of the yankees pen and you did a good job listing them. the problem is that there are much better reasons to suspect that this is a sucky idea.a. last may he was just off reahab. this may, he’ll be just off turning 43. not exactly a “turn-it-around” season for many pitchers.b. sure, lots of pitchers struggle as starters and then thrive in limited roles out of the pen. also, many pitchers struggle as starters and then struggle in limited roles out of the pen. its actually a lot more likely. and of all of smoltz’s starts as a red sok, only 2 lasted 6 innings. so its not as if they just got to him in the late innings. his ERA in starts under 6 innings: 8.67c. you’re right, his walk rate was low, but his home run rate was more than double his career average (1.8/9 with boston vs. 0.7/9 career). i’m thinking that pinball machine you guys have in the bronx probably wouldn’t help.d. who would he be replacing? phil hughes? talk about a guy that struggled as a starter but got it together for relief. the dude had a 2.50 ERA at home last year. in that park. doesn’t seem like smoltz would be much of an upgrade.i’ll concede the point that smoltz pitching for the yankees is “an idea” but i disagree that, from either smoltz’s or the yankees’s perspective it would be a “good idea.” that is all. much respect.
God, Hughes had what, 2-3 bad starts last year? The guy is like 23 (can’t look up exact numbers right now), but he isn’t going to be dominant right out from the beginning. Given the chance, Hughes could probably put together a solid season. He’s quite developed for his age.
chillax. i think you’re missing the point of what i said. i only brought up hughes because your fellow yankees fan implicitly suggested replacing him (or joba?) with smoltz. i was highlighting hughes’s success in the bullpen as a reason that probably wouldn’t be a good idea.
Sorry – I get very defensive over the whole “Joba/Hughes should be reliever!” thing, because I think they both need the chance to start a full-season (no limitations).
I agree though, I don’t think Smoltz would be a good idea for the Yankees. Not so much that I think he’s done, just that he wouldn’t perform very well being in the AL East (again) or in Yankee stadium.
Early last year, Smoltz was tipping his pitches and his pitching mechanics were off. Any team could have rocked him early on last year. The Yankees were just prolific at it. I wouldn’t expect the same result twice, provided he has some decent coaching.
That said, I agree that his cost-effectiveness is higher than other Yankee alternatives (Joba/Hughes). He’s more valuable to a team that actually needs his skill set. The Yankees have it (and pretty much every other skill set) covered.
i’ve heard the tipping-pitches story, too, and think its pretty likely true. i’m wondering, though, if the red sox didn’t bother coaching a pitcher they dropped $5 million on, i’m not sure the yankees would give much time of day to a guy they’re paying the league minimum (or whatever), especially when they’ve got a handful of cheap, useful alternatives.you make all good points, but i’m not sure i know what you mean by “his cost-effectiveness is higher than other yankee alternatives.” hughes and chamberlin make only about $400k each.
Smoltz isn’t likely to sign for 400k but he’ll provide similar services as hughes and chamberlain. So it doesn’t make much sense to pay him 3 million or whatever when the Yankees could get similar stats for 400k. Unless you really value his mentoring of young pitchers… But the Yankees have plenty of veteran ballplayers, so I don’t really think that’s much of an issue either.
Joba’s job. Smoltz is done
He could be washed up. But I did say if he were willing to accept a low base. I have more faith in Smoltz than I do Gaudin or Mitre. As for the 8th inning role, it would make much more sense for Joba to start and Huges to stay in the pen in 2010. Hopefully in 2011 both will be starters again. Joba however is prepared to pitch w/o restrictions whereas Hughes isn’t.
Yanks hit Smoltz so hard last year they knocked him to the NL. Forget him. Hughes is better and more polished than Joba
I’d have far more faith in Gaudin than Smoltz, especially in terms of starting pitching depth.
can we all please stop pretending that the yankees actually have any real financial concerns and/or limitations? they’ve got a payroll north of $200 million and its still about $9 million lower than it was last year. if they actually want a guy, rest assured they’ll pay whatever it takes to get him.
On the DL, I suspect.
After watching him labor through a couple of months in Boston, I couldn’t agree more. I wish it had worked out differently for him, but I now wish he had called it quits with the Braves so he could go into Cooperstown with Maddux and Glavine. Oh well.
How about Smoltz with the Mariners in late inning relief?
I doubt the Mets make this move, if any moves at all at this point. Either they pull off a deal with the Reds finally or Nieve is our 5th starter (much more likely).
count the mets out… anyone who they reportedly showing interest for is to trick the fans into buying tickets, and then when that player signs elsewhere, they claim they were too expensive… smoltz will sign for 3.5 mil and it will be too rich for the mets.. i repeat the NEW YORK mets blood .. what an absolute joke this organization is
Bernie Madoff haunts the Mets. How much money did Wilpon lose? They can’t seem to sign anybody.
Bay?
Reports vary about how much the Wilpons lost on the Madoff scheme: $300-800M. Then there’s the report that they actually made a small PROFIT on it. Either way it isn’t good because word is that those who lost in the scheme are suing those who profited. Everybody’s all over Omar for not spending, but this offseason it’s the Wilpons holding the purse strings…and clearly they don’t wanna let go. It’s a pattern now. I wouldn’t put that part on Omar, but it sure is convenient to hide behind him!
Would he even be interested in playing for a team like Washington? He is 43, wouldn’t he wanna be on a conteder? I think he would fit well in Tampa.
As a Met fan I’ve stopped hoping for 2010. I just want management to not do something stupid to make things hard for next GM and manager.
…. and owner.
I still like him going to STL. Hill was signed very cheap and is not promised a spot. We know he’ll be competing against at least McClellen. I like him in the pen as some have expressed. As a set up man, in place of Franklin when needed or a back up starter in case of injury or collapse. For all we know, Hill could spend most of his time in Memphis.
i’m surprised the Cubs haven’t become a part of this discussion, especially now that they’ve missed out on Sheets and Garland. I’d like to see Smoltz and Marshall form an 8th inning L/R platoon before Marmol comes in for the 9th.
the mets are going no where this season. unless pelfrey, maine, perez and niese have career years, they wont even smell the wild card. i cannot believe minaya and ownership. this is ridiculous. if theyre not preparing a huge trade for an ace then i dont know whats going through their minds. as if jason bay washed away all our troubles. heres to another disappointing season, bottoms up…
I would love the Braves to mend the fences and get Smoltz for the bullpen. It’s unlikely to happen (with the egos involved) but with Glavine close to taking a front office job…you never know.
This is news to me…..has Glavine been offered a front office job?
Doing what and for what club? Thanks
ok, seriously, mets fans… what do you want?in very recent history you’re team has:promoted top-prospect jose reyes to the bigs, and he’s been pretty successfulpromoted top-prospect david wright to the bigs, and he’s been pretty successfulsigned top free agent outfielder carlos beltran to a massive contract.signed top free agent outfielder jason bay to a massive-ish contract.traded for top pitcher johan santana.signed top pitcher johan santana to a massive extension.i’m missing a few for sure. they’ve had some bad luck, there’s no doubt, but you can’t really complain about your management not being active or spending enough money. because they’ve done that.
If he went to the Nationals, it would be funny if capps was setting up for smoltz! a lot of warming up for nothing for Smoltz at his age cannot be good!
I doubt Smoltz returns to the Cards. Both the Post-Dispatch and Globe-Democrat (link to globe-democrat.com) are saying that pitching additions are unlikely now, and that 3rd base competition is the focus.
Cards 3B….let’s not go down the Branyan road again, please!
The Cubs as a set-up man. I not sold on used washed up or overpaid 7th round draft picks 2 mill a year talent.
Bullpen
Marshall
Guzman
Gaub
Grey
Smoltz
Grabow
Marmol
I could care less about Samardija, Gorzelanny, Silva.
I mean where they are rotation or the pen
As a Red Sox fan, I hate John Smoltz after giving the Sox about a dozen horrific starts that took them out of the race for the AL east. I hope no one will sign him until midseason, and then does horrible, like chein Ming Wang at the beginning of the ’09 season.
Every 1 has a bad season.Give him a break he is old and washed up.Its the Red Sox fault for leaving him in the rotation .Get over it.
As a Red Sox fan, I hate John Smoltz after giving the Sox about a dozen horrific starts that took them out of the race for the AL east. I hope no one will sign him until midseason, and then does horrible, like chein Ming Wang at the beginning of the ’09 season.
I love how he thought he would get a ring with Boston, and then he had the horrible year with them then changed his mind and thought the cardinals would get him one. I just find it funny. I think the braves shouldn’t talk to him, at all.
Smoltz did great for the Cards last half.
I love how he thought he would get a ring with Boston, and then he had the horrible year with them then changed his mind and thought the cardinals would get him one. I just find it funny. I think the braves shouldn’t talk to him, at all.
Smoltz is 43 years old, had a great career, prehaps a future hall of famer it is a shame to see a great ballplayer hold on when he is washed up. Like watching Willie Mays go back on a fly ball to centerfield in a Mets uniform and just not being able to do it anymore.
it really doesn’t make sense. the guy is a scratch golfer, and tiger has proclaimed him the best golfer he’s ever seen that isn’t a pro. you would think playing golf would be way more fun than pitching terribly. just another instance that proves it really is all about the money to these guys. this is a guy who needs nothing else from the game, he’s not going to win anything as a met. he’s one of the good guys too that you wouldnt classify as greedy but that’s the reality….
Well we said that about Brett Farve and look how he did this year.
Ouch.. I want Smoltz back on the Cards but not for that kinda cash… 4 mil guaranteed?!?! I want what your GM is smoking.
METhamphetamine
I wouldn’t mind a Smoltz deal. If he struggles as a starter he could always be moved to the bullpen. I think he could hold a spot for Wang until he’s ready (hoping they sign him) and if Wang is unsuccesful, Smoltz could rejoin the rotation. Just a thought.
Smoltz would be worth it for one reason. That he can start until Bedard is ready, then he can just go to the pen. Where he will be fine if healthy.
I would like to see him in the Cardinal bullpen. They could use a veteran RH and someone to give Franklin some days off in save situations so he doesn’t get wore out like last season. I think between him, Garcia and Hill we would have better depth at the back end of the rotation and some bullpen long innings help.
The Cards have a few needs and I’m sure they’d like to keep some cash on hand for a mid-season acquisition if necessary.
Hill only got a minor league contract plus an invite. If he doesn’t make the starting rotation, he’s not going to be in the bullpen taking a roster spot. Reyes and Miller have LHRP pretty much locked up. So I don’t see where his signing really limits the Cards signing Smoltz unless the front office is using this as a cover while switching priorities from pitching to a Felipe Lopez type ballplayer or maybe even just standing pat.
I think everyone, except maybe the Yankees, could use a guy like Smoltz. All 30 teams should just throw him an offer and he’d take the one he liked the best.
I agree, the fact that he has experience closing, and closing well, would be great to ensure that Franklin doesn’t get overworked like he seemed to be last year, but from everything I’ve heard and read he says he wants to start. It doesn’t seem realisic that he can make 30 starts throwing 5 to 6 innings, but I think if he went out every other day for 1 or 2 innings and really let it go he would be nice.
As I recall in his first or second game with the Cards he struck out 7 batters in the first three innings. I just hope he isn’t stuck on starting.
Glavine is coming to the mets?