Atlanta Braves: Should John Smoltz be re-signed to help Braves bullpen?
The Boston Red Sox cut John Smoltz Friday after the veteran pitcher, signed as a free agent this past January, managed only a 2-5 record in eight starts with an 8.33 ERA.
YOU TELL US: Do you think Smoltz, who racked up 154 saves from 2001-04 as Atlanta’s closer, should be re-signed to help in the Braves bullpen? Or is he, at age 42 and coming off shoulder rehab, simply out of gas?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
352 comments Add your comment
Arkansas Transplant
August 10th, 2009
11:51 am
L.W. Your looking at the whole picture like me. There’s definitly high reward on bringing him back.
Dawg19
August 10th, 2009
11:52 am
Soriano has had 3 total bad nights out of 52 appearances. Ill take that from a reliever any time. Look at the work load he has received lately, that will get anybody tired and cause some control issues and loss of velocity. Soriano is sick and unless his arm falls off, there is no need for worry.
count_schemula
August 10th, 2009
11:53 am
Not worried about Soriano here. He’ll always give up the occasional long ball (which can be a KILLER in the post-season), but look, he gave up the walk off in Game against the Dodgers, and then pitched for the 3rd and 4th day in row. I like his calm demeanor, and he has the mind of a closer. You can’t do anything about the last pitch, only the next pitch. Gonzo should be used sometimes, but his wild man style means his control will never be all that great. Most teams would kill to have Gonzo and Soriano in the same pen. What Bobby needs to do is quit burning them in non-critical situations.
jch
August 10th, 2009
11:54 am
No, he can’t help.
Next silly question?
count_schemula
August 10th, 2009
11:55 am
btw, Smoltz chose to burn bridges, so… we don’t have a spot for him now. He got the money, which is fine, but then he was an azz about it. That was not fine.
Pal Joey
August 10th, 2009
11:56 am
Some players just don’t know when it is time to hang it up. Glavine is one, and now Smoltz seems to be another. These guys were great in their prime, but they are done as major league pitchers. Father time has caught up with them and they should go gracefully into the sunset without making fools of themselves at this late date. Hang it up, guys. Let us remember you as you were, not as hangers on who just can’t let go. Maddux has the good sense to quit when it became apparent he couldn’t do it anymore. You should do the same.
Arkansas Transplant
August 10th, 2009
11:56 am
For all of you that say, “he doesn’t have it anymore.” There are young guys in the majors that can’t throw as hard as he is right now. He still has the stuff, he’s just missing something right now to bring it all together. Maybe a move back to Atlanta where he’s more comfortable and familiar would help. But he hasn’t lost anything.. the only thing I’ve seen a change in, is his location. Looks like he’s not locating as well as he use too. But that’s something that’s easily fixed with reps. He could easily pitch at AAA to resolve that issue and be back up for the Sept. run.
count_schemula
August 10th, 2009
11:57 am
People down on Soriano. People wanting to trade Vasquez who has been money all season long. Vasquez and McCann are are heart of this team. When Vasquez through the complete game loss, he sealed the deal for me. We OWE Vazquez success.
count_schemula
August 10th, 2009
11:59 am
threw… argh
NC Braves Fan
August 10th, 2009
12:00 pm
No no NO! Bad call all the way around.
RDM
August 10th, 2009
12:00 pm
Personally, I think he burned a bridge when he publicly slammed the Braves and particularly Frank Wren after they cut Glavine. By the way, both of the moves that the Braves made with Smoltz and Glavine turned out to be the right moves. You can’t run a successful club based on sentimental ties to former players. Smoltz was a great Brave back in the day and he was paid very well for his services. The Braves don’t owe him anything at this point. He’s had 400+ surgeries and should hang it up.
Jay
August 10th, 2009
12:01 pm
The Red Sox didnt rush him back…its August for crying out loud!
Pepe Frias
August 10th, 2009
12:01 pm
He should retire and go on tour with Winger.
OneEyed Jack
August 10th, 2009
12:01 pm
He may be through, but Bobby uses up a bullpen and the Braves could use another arm.
Why not sign him to a minor league contract, let him spend a rehab stint in Rome, and if he performs, bring him up in Sept?
curtis jones
August 10th, 2009
12:02 pm
Smoltz is obviously through. Sort of like Greg Norton, who retired earlier this year, and failed to tell anyone. But for the immediate future, as in THIS WEEK, the Braves need to send down Boone Logan, and activate a hitter, like Brooks Conrad, Chris Burke, Barbaro Canizares or an outfielder.
We have two off days this week, Kawakami will move to the bullpen as an extra reliever, giving us way too many pitchers, and not enough bats off the bench. If Cox is smart, and is serious about making a playoff run, he will make this move before Tuesday’s game.
rick
August 10th, 2009
12:04 pm
YES (if we can get him cheap!)
CommonSenseRules
August 10th, 2009
12:06 pm
I think that the Smoltz bridge has been burned from both directions. It’s time to let the next guy who is ready for a moment to shine to do just that.
Larry Skinner
August 10th, 2009
12:07 pm
I’M pretty sure Smoltzie is better than some of our current bullpen staff. Sure give him a try. John just might be inspired enough to give you his best for the next few months.
Lew
August 10th, 2009
12:09 pm
Bridges burned, fork inserted. Time to play golf with Tommy and enjoy retirement. He just got remarried. He has enough to keep him occupied.
Farsider
August 10th, 2009
12:09 pm
No, no, no, no, no.
No way. Bridges have been burnt here. Next time Smoltz comes back is when they have a day honoring him after he retires (if he decides to show up).
Kevrock/Smarty Jones
August 10th, 2009
12:09 pm
Why not! He has the velocity that is for sure. He is just missing with his location. IF he was willing to do it I think it would be a great story BUT if he continues to struggle we would have to let him know we would let him go as well.
Bill Weston
August 10th, 2009
12:09 pm
it’s lame questions like this that show that the AJC is less than a shell of it’s former self. What a total waste of time and effort.
Patty321
August 10th, 2009
12:10 pm
if you want the braves to go to the playoffs they do need another bullpen guy but sadly john smoltz isnt the anwser
Freedog
August 10th, 2009
12:10 pm
I’d take him over Acosta or anybody else in middle relief role. Plus his postseason experience would be huge.
Herschel Talker
August 10th, 2009
12:10 pm
While you’re at it, throw Glavine out there too.
He is out of gas. He will blow important games down the stretch. Terrible idea.
59bulldawg
August 10th, 2009
12:11 pm
I’m torn about a Smoltz return. Love the guy but think his time may have passed. But not sold on Soriano either! Seems like every time I read a box score he’s screwing up a chance for a Braves win.
Bill Weston
August 10th, 2009
12:11 pm
For those of you who caught it, sorry I meant to delete the apostrophe in my second “its”
Benny
August 10th, 2009
12:11 pm
Don’t forget about all the crap Smoltz said about the Braves when they did not sign him and when they cut Glavine. The Braves made him a very rich man and that was the thanks he gave them. The Braves don’t need Smoltz! Put Tim Hudson in the bullpen.
Why Not
August 10th, 2009
12:12 pm
I don’t see how a team that is still in contention for the playoffs could let Smoltz get his act together in the major leagues. I think he needs some more time in the minors. If he is going to play in the minors, why not play for the Gwinnett Braves. He only lives a few miles away.
Lank
August 10th, 2009
12:14 pm
I’d love to see him take Acosta’s spot in the bullpen. Don’t think Wren will make that happen though, unless he tells Bobby to use him everyday to destroy his arm for good. Also, when Hudson comes back, it seems the consensus is to move KK to the bullpen (and I assume drop Logan?). So the pen could have Kawakami, Smoltz, Medlen, Moylan, O’Flaherty, Gonzalez, and Soriano.
braves5bobblehead
August 10th, 2009
12:15 pm
Smoltz is finished, he should retire like Maddox did and not ruin his legacy. He will not have the glory of the past in the bullpen or starting after several arm surgeries. He man is 42 years old, so he would be a better coach than pitcher.
Taylor
August 10th, 2009
12:16 pm
simply no
Jimv
August 10th, 2009
12:16 pm
Of course let him come back. He can help that bullpen and, of course, retire with a Braves jersey. A no-brainer!
pd
August 10th, 2009
12:16 pm
When Hudson comes back, we will have 6 starters. We should put two of them in the pen. I don’t care about egos. Kawakami should be penned for sure. Then it comes down to Jerjens and Hudson. One of you is relief.
We only need a 4 starter rotation anyway in the post season. (IF THERE IS ONE)
Marc in FL
August 10th, 2009
12:19 pm
I think Smoltz’s ERA the first time through the line-up is like 2.00 or so this year. Guys like that are usually pretty good in the pen. I don’t see the harm in giving him a chance, it’s not like it would cost much.
Frankie Knuckles
August 10th, 2009
12:21 pm
Yes, but first, he must publicly admit that Wren has done a fantastic job this year. Keeping McLouth under the radar and pulling the trigger when he did was simply brilliant. Call me nostalgic, I want to see Smoltz walk off the the mound for the last time in a Braves uni.
bruce
August 10th, 2009
12:21 pm
Gwinnett first til he and Frank think he is ready to replace either Manny Acosta or Boone Logan… would much rather have Smoltz than either of them if he proves to himself he is capable at Gwinnett… chalk it all up to it takes a year to rehab a shoulder like that one.
I believe Smoltz wants to pitch more than retire because he has not proven to himself that he has failed yet, the rehab is incomplete and the work to get this far is such a huge investment. Boston could not wait any longer…. unless he goes to Pawtucket. That would not suprise me… take a couple more weeks to figure it out, strengthen further… Best wishes John in whatever you decide.
George Holman
August 10th, 2009
12:25 pm
Smoltz, like Glavine, did not know when to quit. I say there is nothing left and it is time to move on. Thanks goes to Wren for not going with emotion in trying to keep these guys. They will always be Braves, and all of the fans will be grateful for their numerous contributions, but I say it is time to move from the past and be thankful for the pitching staff that has been assembled. With a little bit of consistent hitting the Braves just might do it this year!
rich
August 10th, 2009
12:26 pm
Greg from Marietta – you are an idiot.
We are talking about Smoltz here not Glavine, you moron
YoungerThan ThatNow
August 10th, 2009
12:27 pm
Soriano isn’t in a slump!!! He’s been over-worked a little the past couple of weeks and he needed a little breather. Any pitcher who throws as he does cannot do it over a 3-5 days span on a daily basis, even for one inning. He’s got to have some time to rest and recover. Gonzo is the same way and if you’ll remember back a few years, Smoltz and every other hard throwing closer was that way.
But to answer the question at hand… I don’t know. I’m not convinced that he has enough gas left to go an inning a game even 2-3 times a week… maybe he has and can get it done. But IMO he took a little more money (which is all it was in the context of how much money he’s made in his career) and CHOSE to go to Boston.
prattvillenolzfan
August 10th, 2009
12:27 pm
Hey N8
I usually agree with what you have to say, but not in this instance. I DO agree however that his presence would be an influence around the pitchers.
However, for him to return to the Braves, would be for Smoltz to publicly admit that HE screwed up in leaving, and that WREN was RIGHT.
SMOLTZ’S EGO IS NOT GOING TO ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.
What would be interesting though, and it would enable him to spend time around the players, is to pair him up with Simpson and Boog (or Chip, during the PTV broadcasts).
I have always admired Smoltz throughout the years, however I lost a ton of respect for him after he trashed the Braves this past year.
Also N8, any coincidence that once again, during a big series, our “LEADER” comes up hurt, only this time, we win 3 in a row……..
miami rico
August 10th, 2009
12:28 pm
Let the old workhorse go off into pasture. He’s a hall of famer, let him enjoy retirement.
Marc in FL
August 10th, 2009
12:30 pm
Lol, what is it with society today and the blame game. He doesn’t have to apologize to anyone to come back. All he needs to come back is for Wren to offer him a deal. Simple as that. These people are professionals, they don’t let emotion drive their careers.
louisville slugger
August 10th, 2009
12:30 pm
I’d only consider bringing him back if (a) he passes through waivers and signs for the prorated minimum and (b) agrees to pitch in relief for the G-Braves until he proves he has somewhat close to his old stuff back. Otherwise, no, but thanks for the memories.
Ron
August 10th, 2009
12:30 pm
Heck yeah. As a closer. Have a contract that is contingent on how he does in x number of games before contract is finalized. If it has to be a million for a year,etc. then we can’t afford to take the chance.
Steve
August 10th, 2009
12:31 pm
I would love to see Smoltz come back and make an impact, but the team only recently seems to be establishing an identity for itself. I think the potential benefit comes with too much chance of a downside in terms of distraction.
Tami
August 10th, 2009
12:31 pm
First of all: Would Smoltz even come back to the Braves? Hard to say.
I think right now, though…maybe more so than any time in his career, he’s ready to be in and stay in a limited bullpen role. It would be fantastic if he could be the Braves’ closer again. Does anyone think he still has the “stuff” to be a closer again? The numbers he was putting up with the BoSox has me concerned that he might not. But, I’d be OK with him having a throwing session with the Braves’ coaches to explore this possibility.
count_schemula
August 10th, 2009
12:31 pm
FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!
GermanBravesFan
August 10th, 2009
12:33 pm
Sign him to a minor league deal (or have the Red Sox pay his salary), send him to Gwinett where he can prove himself. If it works, great. If not, release him.
The Grinch
August 10th, 2009
12:35 pm
What’s all this about bringing him back as a coach? Did you all not read his comments? He’s a whiny, self-centered @$$-clown who ditched his teammates in the off-season before any moves were made to rebuild the club. What exactly would we benefit from having him mold young players in his image? That would be an even worse idea than bringing him back to pitch.
Now MADDUX would make a great coach.