John Smoltz Rumors

Braves Decline To Offer Arb To Smoltz

According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, the Braves declined to offer arbitration to John Smoltz today. Smoltz is a Type B, but the Braves don't want to risk having Smoltz at anything near the $12MM guaranteed he earned this year. The decision was no surprise, and the Braves still hope to re-sign Smoltz if he can pitch.   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Pudge, Ohman, Manny

Rounding up linkage for Monday... The Jays claimed two players off waivers: shortstop Angel Sanchez and pitcher Kelvin Jimenez. The Cubs and Nationals swapped minor leaguers. The Cubs sent pitcher Matt Avery to the Nats for another pitcher named Ryan Buchter. Good stuff from ESPN's Jerry Crasnick - he surveyed 15 front-office people on the top stories of the offseason. One of a million conversations taking place at the GM meetings: Brian Cashman chatting with Walt Jocketty. Tony Massarotti's top five lies told during free agency. Ken Davidoff names his top ten GMs. Joe Posnanski on the Mike Jacobs-Leo Nunez...   Continue Reading

---

Smoltz To Take Clemens Approach?

SUNDAY: Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reminds Braves fans of the plan for Smoltz. He will continue to rehab (sans progress reports for the media). If Smoltz is willing and able to pitch, the Braves want him back. SATURDAY: Jesse Spector of the New York Daily News talked to John Smoltz's agent, Keith Grunewald. Smoltz, of course, would love to finish his career in Atlanta. The Braves figure to make an effort to re-sign him, but it's not a lock. Smoltz could be ready in May or June following shoulder surgery, and could sign late with a contender as...   Continue Reading

---

Smoltz Willing To Pitch Elsewhere

4:10pm: David O'Brien is not surprised by Smoltz's comments, and mentions a conversation a few weeks ago with GM Frank Wren. Wren suggested the Smoltz/Glavine situations might not be addressed until December or January. As expected, Wren is targeting veteran starting pitching and outfield help this winter. 11:40am: Jay Busbee of Atlanta Magazine asked John Smoltz about his rehab from shoulder surgery. To Busbee's surprise, Smoltz offered up some interesting quotes: "I say this for the first time, without reservation, if I'm going to bust my butt and if I feel like I'm good enough and it doesn't work out...   Continue Reading

---

Stark's Latest: Teixeira, Lamb, Ibanez, Blake

Hot stove highlights from Jayson Stark's latest... Stark sees the Mets picking up Carlos Delgado's $12MM option for '09, taking them out of the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes. He sees the Yankees in the mix for Tex. Will Teixeira top the $140MM the Rangers offered him? The Yanks will also pursue a top flight starting pitcher, with C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets as Plans A and B. Stark does not see the Braves diving into megadeals for Sabathia, Sheets, or A.J. Burnett. They'll have payroll room, but could pursue trades or mid-tier free agents. Stark says friends of Tom Glavine and...   Continue Reading

---

Heyman Predicts '09 Options

THURSDAY: Reader Christopher G. alerted me to the fact that Smoltz will be a free agent after this season. According to this MLB.com article, he has a vesting option for '09 based on pitching 200 innings in '08. Obviously Smoltz is unable to reach that total. WEDNESDAY: SI.com's Jon Heyman weighs in on 12 players with options for '09, speculating on whether they will be exercised. Most of the dozen are easy to predict, except for John Smoltz at $12MM and Brad Penny at $9.25MM with a $2MM buyout. Heyman sees both of those being picked up. You can browse...   Continue Reading

---

Rosenthal's Latest: Kotsay, Fuentes, Glavine, Smoltz

On August 18th, Rosenthal mentioned Mark Kotsay had cleared waivers, and that Brian Fuentes had not yet been placed. Here's an update, from today's Inside Pitch video: The Brewers and Red Sox are both showing interest in Kotsay. The Brewers would only pursue a trade if Ryan Braun's ribcage injury worsens, and so far he looks more than fine. The Sox made a play for lefty-hitting Brian Giles before Giles vetoed the deal, so it makes sense that they'd exert similar effort toward Kotsay. Even more so now that J.D. Drew has a herniated disc. Fuentes is expected to be...   Continue Reading

---

Heyman's Latest: Bowden, Helton, Maddux, K-Rod

Let's take a look at the latest from SI.com's Jon Heyman. Despite the headline "Nats GM in trouble," Heyman says Jim Bowden has the support of his bosses. They do not blame him for Aaron Crow and are not concerned with his possible connection to the scout skimming scandal. Heyman suggests the Rockies could shop first baseman Todd Helton this winter if he demonstrates a healthy back in September. Here's the thing - if Helton was a free agent and you had to give him a three-year deal, what would you pay? $5MM a year maybe? Are the Rockies going...   Continue Reading

---

Talking Retirement: Smoltz, Trachsel, Mercker

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.   Continue Reading

---

Smoltz Situation Could Prompt Trade

John Smoltz is planning to return from the DL as a reliever in three weeks or so. This leaves the Braves with question marks in the rotation beyond Tim Hudson, Tom Glavine, and Jair Jurrjens. The fifth starter job is often in flux for a lot of teams, but it seems the Braves need to figure out one more long-term starter for the year. The Braves do have some arms to bring up from Triple A, namely lefties Jo-Jo Reyes and Chuck James. Reyes has a 1.17 ERA in five starts. In my opinion, the Braves need an innings eater...   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Thames, Sosa, Inge, Crisp

Here's today's link roundup. MetsBlog passes along a Jon Heyman WFAN appearance tidbit. The SI.com writer said the Mets and Tigers are discussing a Marcus Thames for Jorge Sosa swap. Thames definitely fits the Mets' needs, though Sosa seems a little light for him. I did a fantasy baseball mailbag for Hardball Times. Brandon Inge tries to explain his comments about catching. John Smoltz has advice for Cole Hamels. Nice to see a popular player legitimately spending time to sign fan mail. Buster Olney says the Red Sox and A's are still discussing Coco Crisp. Olney also notes that "talent...   Continue Reading

---

Braves Extend John Smoltz

John Schuerholz, the Braves' "homeboy upstairs," came through with a contract extension for ace pitcher John Smoltz today. A March report questioned whether Smoltz would remain a Brave, and the pitcher publicly considered moving on from the Braves last August. But now he'll finish his career with Atlanta, which just feels right. Basically Smoltz is guaranteed a fair-market $14MM next year, with additional options based on innings pitched. He said in the past he wouldn't sign any more team-friendly deals, but this one does lean towards the Braves. They're only obligated to him if he stays healthy and makes 30+..   Continue Reading

---

Yankees Won't Renegotiate With A-Rod

In case you missed Jon Heyman's scoop yesterday: Brian Cashman won't renegotiate Alex Rodriguez's contract after this season. I imagine he went public with it in attempt to put the onus back on A-Rod when he leaves after the season. For once, Rodriguez is not biting and won't discuss it further with the media. Heyman reiterates that Rodriguez will not consent to a trade if the Yankees are in contention. Other notes from the column: Out of all the relievers on the market, Jorge Julio seems the most likely to be dealt. Heyman thinks John Smoltz is done with team-friendly..   Continue Reading

---

Smoltz Chats With Schuerholz

One thing I forgot to mention when quoting John Smoltz a couple of days ago was his reference to Schuerholz as "the homeboy upstairs." Didn't seem newsworthy. However, there has been some minor debate within the Braves community. Was it offensive, was it part of an agenda, stuff like that. To see Smoltz and Schuerholz's take on that, check out David O'Brien's blog for the AJC. More importantly, O'Brien mentions that "the Braves are surely going to pick up the option." As I mentioned before, it's a no-brainer. The more interesting question is whether the two parties will hammer out..   Continue Reading

---

Smoltz Could Leave Braves

It seems like every couple of years, the Braves go through contract negotations with John Smoltz. He's been a Brave for all these years, it just seems inevitable that they'll work something out. However, a recent quote from Smoltz makes this offseason sound a little different: All I know is, after these last two years and with my desire to work out, I've got two or three more years, easy. I used to always be of the mind-set that if it's not here, it won't be anywhere else. But that's not the case any more. I'll pitch somewhere else. Smoltz,..   Continue Reading

---

Trade Rumor Roundup: 4 Days Left

What's cooking this morning in the world of MLB trade rumors? Gotham Baseball's Mark Healey spoke to all sorts of baseball sources; here's his latest Rumor Mill. New developments: the Mets could pursue various Rockie pitchers, and the Yanks crave John Smoltz. My Mets guy indicates that the Wilson Betemit for Scott Linebrink deal that's been bandied about could go down at the last minute. What? He hears things outside of the Mets. SportsBlah sorts through the Alfonso Soriano rumors. Jimmy Gobble was scratched from his start last night. Let the rampant rumormongering begin. Actually, KC just switched him with..   Continue Reading

---

John Smoltz Available?

John Smoltz's recent comments were blown out of proportion perhaps, but the possibility remains: the Braves could consider trading him this summer. He makes $6MM this year and has an $8MM club option for next year. Though he's 39 years old, he's signed to a very friendly deal. Baseball Prospectus finds Smoltz very similar to Gaylord Perry, minus the spitters. Perry pitched decently until age 44. BP's projections value Smoltz at $11MM this year and about $7 mil in '07. He's shown consistent dominance on the big stage, throwing 206 innings of 2.66 ball in the postseason. Atlanta has had..   Continue Reading

---

Search MLBTR

MLBTR Mailing List

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats

Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST