Smoltz To Sign With Red Sox

John Smoltz is a career Brave no more.

The Boston Red Sox and Smoltz have agreed to a one-year contract The contract gives Smoltz $5.5 million guaranteed and also provides $4.5 million in incentives that are "very attainable". Therefore, the Red Sox could be paying John Smoltz $10 million overall.

The realist in me says that this is an excellent deal for Smoltz. He gets $5.5 million dollars even if he can't pitch a single inning next year. On the other hand, if he can pitch, he could earn up to $10 million for the entire year. It's a win-win situation for him.

The fan in me says that it is very sad to see Smoltz go. It's always sad to see a favorite player go. I hope he is able to pitch in Boston and succeed in what is probably his final season.

JOHN SMOLTZ'S CAREER BRAVES STATS

STRIKEOUTS
1. John Smoltz - 3011
2. Phil Niekro - 2912
3. Warren Spahn - 2493
4. Tom Glavine - 2091
5. Greg Maddux - 1828
6. Kid Nichols - 1667
7. Vic Willis - 1161
8. Jim Whitney - 1157
9. Lew Burdette - 923
10. Charlie Buffinton - 911

SAVES
1. John Smoltz - 154
2. Gene Garber - 141
3. Mark Wohlers - 112
4. John Rocker - 83
5. Cecil Upshaw - 78
6. Rick Camp - 57
7. Mike Stanton - 55
8. Don McMahon - 50
T9. Kerry Ligtenberg - 44
T9. Greg McMichael - 44

K/9 IP
1. John Smoltz - 7.98
2. Kevin Millwood - 7.53
3. Kent Mercker - 7.32
4. Steve Bedrosian - 7.23
5. Denny Lemaster - 7.03
6. Greg Maddux - 6.51
7. Tony Cloninger - 6.18
8. Steve Avery - 6.00
9. Pete Smith - 5.84
10. Gene Garber - 5.68

WINS
1. Warren Spahn - 356
2. Kid Nichols - 329
3. Phil Niekro - 268
4. Tom Glavine - 244
5. John Smoltz - 210
6. Greg Maddux - 194
7. Lew Burdette - 179
8. Vic Willis - 151
T9. Tommy Bond - 149
T9. John Clarkson - 149

WHIP
1. Tom Hughes - 1.022
2. Greg Maddux - 1.051
3. Jim Whitney - 1.082
4. Art Nehf - 1.116
5. Tommy Bond - 1.120
6. Dick Rudolph - 1.154
7. John Smoltz - 1.170
8. Ken Johnson - 1.171
9. Charlie Buffinton - 1.179
10. Pat Ragan - 1.180

And this is for anyone that is depressed by this news:

Comic Book Guy agrees with you...



Worst. Off-season. Ever.