With the season heading down the home stretch, the Marlins find themselves with problems in the back end of the starting rotation and in the closer role. They find themselves with a great opportunity to add a viable arm to the roster after the Boston made it known that they no longer had any use for John Smoltz.John Smoltz has struggled this year with the Boston Red Sox, going 2-5 with an 8.33 ERA in eight starts this season. He cleared waivers on Wednesday and refused to be optioned to the minors. Boston now has two choices, trade him or release him. Any team in the playoff hunt should be interested in John Smoltz. He is proven as a starter and a closer. Smoltz has only suffered two losing seasons as a starter in his 21-year career and one of those was his rookie season. He moved into Atlanta's closer role in the middle of the 2001 season and served in that capacity for four years, picking up 154 saves with a 2.65 ERA.
Smoltz never pitched outside the National League. Actually, he never pitched for anyone but Atlanta until this year. A move back to the National League could help boost his confidence.
How Much?
How much is John Smoltz worth? That's the question of the century. Some are going to say that it is not worth going after Smoltz because it's going to cost the Marlins a crucial part of their farm system. With a "lets win now" mentality, I say this - nothing in the future is guaranteed.
Let's get serious. Do you really think that Larry Bienfest is not going to work the best deal possible? Don't you think he will make Boston foot the bill on the remainder of Smoltz's contract?
I'm interested in your opinion. Drop us a line. Let us know what you think.
2 comments:
Obviously, the writer of this wish piece must be a gossip reporter and not a baseball writer. When Smoltz clears waivers, any team can bid for his services. If the Marlins were to go after Smoltz before the waiver process ends, I expect the cost would be a bucket of balls and a Gloria Estefan 8 track tape.
@ Peyton: The Waiver Process is done. Boston can negotiate with interested teams or release him. Smoltz has an 5.5 million dollar contrat. The Marlins can't and will not pick up the rest of his contract in a trade. They would want the Red Sox to pick up the tab, so it's going to cost the Marlins a little more than a Gloria Estefan 8 track. If he is released it would cost the Red Sox the remaining amount of his contract so they won't release him. If they are going to have to pay the rest of his salary they might as well get something in return.
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