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?
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352 comments Add your comment
Capt Caveman
August 10th, 2009
12:36 pm
Smoltz isn’t coming back so this is a moot point.
Billy
August 10th, 2009
12:36 pm
Time for a little magic here folks. Let him clear wavers, get him cheap then send him to the minors to strengthen his arm. Bring him up in mid September and put him in the pen. This Braves team is showing some of it’s past glory these last couple of weeks. Why not see if Smoltz can add to the magic by inspiring and most importantly pitching his last season into the playoffs. I think the baseball Gods might like this story.
MWGT1990
August 10th, 2009
12:36 pm
Bring Tom and John back for a one day contract so they retire as Braves. Then retire their jerseys and put them in the brodcasting booth together. It’s time.
TN Jeff
August 10th, 2009
12:37 pm
Minor League contract to begin with – it’s a no brainer
Raphy "Witch Doctor" Soriano
August 10th, 2009
12:38 pm
One walkoff homerun doesn’t mean I should lose my job to Grandpa!!!!
childrojc
August 10th, 2009
12:38 pm
The braves are overloaded on pitching with Hudson coming back, but they do need another option for the 7th, 8th, or even the ninth. All egos aside John Smoltz for league minimum makes sense especially if they only use him sparingly until the play offs come. By the way when was the last game smoltz came in up 2 runs in the ninth and gave up 2 base hits and a WALK OFF home run? Soriano and Gonzo need a proven arm to fit in…… not steal the show! The real question is how does Frank Wren see the situation?
Chains
August 10th, 2009
12:39 pm
Time to make a tee time..Johnny, That way we don’t have another sob story about a braves hero been done wrong…..he’s always been a complainer. join Glavine in the discount bin at Has been world…..
Tami
August 10th, 2009
12:39 pm
Agree with The Grinch @ 12:35 pm. I would LOVE to see Mad Dog as a pitching coach….for the Braves. It would hurt too much to see him doing this elsewhere. John wouldn’t make a bad coach either. BUT! He has to let go of some of his inner grudge against the Braves’ front office first to have the proper clarity that is needed to coach the young guys. Otherwise, it could turn out the way you describe.
Dave
August 10th, 2009
12:40 pm
This is NOT the time to be sentimental about the past. The Braves are back in the pennant race, and they need EVERY pitcher in the bullpen to be able to contribute.
Quite frankly, it is unlikely that Smoltz will be able to contribute in any significant way.
Plus we have to find room for Hudson soon!
Sorry, but it is time to cut the cord wth Smoltz, except for a return visit to have his number retired ala Greg Maddux.
jimmy
August 10th, 2009
12:41 pm
by sll means give him a chance
Charlie Lau
August 10th, 2009
12:41 pm
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…but get Maddux involved with the organization.
Tami
August 10th, 2009
12:42 pm
Good idea, MWGT1990. However, they both must be affordable. They should take roster spots that the top minor leaguers have earned to come up to Atlanta in September for the stretch run. If there are two extra spots left, sure. Bring them both in. Couldn’t hurt. They could mentor the starters & the bullpen.
Tami
August 10th, 2009
12:42 pm
Correction @ my 12:42 post: They should NOT take roster spots that the top minor leaguers have earned….
Sorry about that.
HAL
August 10th, 2009
12:44 pm
since tom glavine got the shaft from wren??? I see about thirty other gm’s breaking doswn toms door and one whjo wishes he never heard of john smoltz lol
Cream Daddy Puff Muffin
August 10th, 2009
12:45 pm
Nope. He’s done. Don’t get me wrong… Smoltz was a great pitcher, but he should have stayed in the bullpen after his first comeback. This would have extended his career, and made him the greatest reliever the game has ever seen. My hat’s off to John for a great career, but recent performance proves that he can’t perform at a competitive level anymore. All ballplayers have to face the inevitable that it’s time to hang the cleats up one day, and unfortunately this time has come for John. We wish you the best, and thanks for all the memories.
Tami
August 10th, 2009
12:46 pm
LOL @ Hal. It’s interesting, isn’t it, that Tom doesn’t seem to have received any offers. But, there could be some pretty desperate teams (like the Muts…’cuse me, the Mets) that might be needing ANY pitcher whose arm hasn’t fallen off yet.
Dave
August 10th, 2009
12:47 pm
BTW, I would not have a problem with either Smoltz, Glavine or Maddux being a pitching coach or a boradcaster. I believe they would be outstanding in either role.
I personally believe that Maddux served as “THE ACTUAL” pitching coach during the bulk of Leo Mazzoni’s tenure as the pitching coach, AND I suspect most of baseball shares that opinion. If I am wrong, then WHY is Leo working in sports talk radio and NOT as a pitching coach for one of the 30 MLB teams???
However, once Smoltz DOES decide to hang them up, he will probably try his hand on the PGA tour as a professional golder. I have read several articles which state that his golf game is good enough for the pro tour!
Just my humble opinion!
Rich
August 10th, 2009
12:47 pm
Greg from Marietta…WTF are you talking about?! Did you read the article? You might want to double check those meds you took this morning. As far as SMOLTZ is concerned, bring him back and let him close out his career in Atlanta, as it should be.
Tami
August 10th, 2009
12:49 pm
Agree with Dave @ 12:47 pm. I think Smoltz has the personality to be in broadcasting more than the other 2, but agree that they could all be in the booth…no problem. Maddux would be better as a pitching coach. And, yes. I do agree that very likely, Maddux was a sort of player/coach during Mazzone’s tenure.
Phil of Playaz Ball
August 10th, 2009
12:50 pm
Yes, as a middle reliever. But Smoltz’s ego would never allow it.
Rico Carty
August 10th, 2009
12:50 pm
Smoltz should not be brought back. It is time to move forward. Frank Wren was right about Smoltz and Glavine.
dave
August 10th, 2009
12:52 pm
Do you not think Boston knew of his successful past as the Brave’s closer? If 29 had anything left, they’d try him there first – they didn’t, we shouldn’t. Go pick up your golf clubs and wait for the Hall to call.
Ken
August 10th, 2009
12:52 pm
These old guys need to give it up. Play more Golf John, and spend your millions. You deserve it. World class athlete, retire with class and dignity…
aswingruber
August 10th, 2009
12:53 pm
As a reliever, he can certainly give us more than Acosta. Why not give him a shot at setting up for the Moylan/Gonzo/Soriano combo if need be? You aren’t taking very much risk on that. Even as bad as his ERA is this year, his numbers the first time through lineups are decent. Sentiment aside, it’s worth a shot if he’d be willing. Therein lies the problem. Smoltz’s ego would not allow him to be a middle relief guy so I don’t see happening.
Herschel Talker
August 10th, 2009
12:54 pm
GermanBravesFan is a clown. And he likes men.
A Fan
August 10th, 2009
12:55 pm
Smoltz only makes sense in the bull pen and at best he is #4 there behind Soriano, Gonzo, and Moylan. However, look at the numbers. Acosta. ERA of 3.81. Smoltz ERA of 8.32. Acosta is 28. Smoltz is 42.
MIKEM
August 10th, 2009
12:56 pm
I would like to see him come back to the Brave’s but you are all out of your minds if you think Smoltz will pitch in Rome or Gwinnett.
No way he’ll accept anything but a major league deal and at this point, I can’t see the Brave’s kissing Smoltzie’s rear end after the way he handled himself earlier this year.
jimmya
August 10th, 2009
12:57 pm
if smoltz would sign him to a minor league contract see if he can turn it around it would not hurt to try huh
Linda
August 10th, 2009
12:57 pm
Bringing Smoltz back is like rewarding a spoiled child for bad behavior. He is not deserving of the respect that was given Niekro.
Gary
August 10th, 2009
12:58 pm
Heck ya. Bring him back. His presence is worth more even if he can’t pitch well.
John Smoltz
August 10th, 2009
12:58 pm
I need to suck it up and retire. My best pitching days are behind me, and I just can’t admit it. The Braves would be wise to not give me a chance to blow some games for them out of the pen. I need to sign somewhere as an announcer…….
Dave in ATL
August 10th, 2009
1:01 pm
SIGN him and get him back in a Braves jersey. Let him work from the bullpen. The Braves have a real shot at leaping forward in the race to October, and bringing Smoltz back – regardless of his condition – would do nothing less than bolster team spirit and give this town some last minute juice to hang with the Braves just a little longer (before the Falcons grab the spotlight right off the bat – no pun intended).
Shirley
August 10th, 2009
1:03 pm
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DHD
August 10th, 2009
1:03 pm
Yes and here’s why. He can be as good as anybody for ONE inning in relief. It will give the Braves a chance to mend the hurt feelings of how they treated him earlier in the year. He would be GREAT in the clubhouse for the younger players. Maybe he could give Yunel a noogie when he needs it….and that’s about once a game. yeah, it doesn’t hurt anything to bring him in with the understanding it’s an inning at a time. No starting and no closing. then, he can retire a Brave and we can retire his number next year. Do it!!
N8
August 10th, 2009
1:05 pm
prattvillenolzfan, we’re not that far off on Smoltz. I too agree that Smoltz is the one who should apologize FIRST, but Wren could also offer a token apology, for good will.
But in the end, Wren WAS right.
As for Chipper? Love the guy. Kind of flew under the radar all those years with the pitching staff we had. But, I’m afraid that when all is said and done that extension he just got is going to be “Hampton-like”, in terms of the contract being a noose around Wren’s neck.
Whether he’s losing his ability to play at a high level, or just his ability to play through injuries, he’s losin’ “it” a bit, and that price tag is too high for a team that has budget issues to begin with.
Nick
August 10th, 2009
1:05 pm
Absolutly bring him back, for the right price. His affectivness as a starter is all but gone but i think he can still play a big role as a middle relieve guy moylan and him would be a great 1 – 2. theres a world of difference between starting and relieving. But again it has to be at the right price.
Dad of eight
August 10th, 2009
1:05 pm
Absolutely we should bring him back into the fold…he could help us more than some of the others… Acosta has ‘acost-a’ too many games over the past two years… And Gonzo scares me too much…he is either ON (in capital letters) or OFF…! and then…when ready…retire John as a Brave..as it should be… like we did Knucksie… with honor… not only could Smoltz help physically, he could be another vet. leader for the young guys to feast on…
Just A Fan
August 10th, 2009
1:06 pm
Can anyone make him a tee time at Hawksridge? He’s DONE
Kentavo
August 10th, 2009
1:06 pm
This post is ignoring a glaring fact: Smoltz is still property of Boston.
They did not “cut” him. He has been designated for assignment.
He could still choose to go to the Sox minor league affiliates and work on becoming a reliever again.
So, in order for the Braves to get him, they’d have to work out a trade (or wait it out if he is completely cut loose).
Now, do ya’ll still think he’s worth trading for?
Ralph
August 10th, 2009
1:07 pm
Absolutely not!!
Darrell
August 10th, 2009
1:08 pm
No, he’s done.
Gene
August 10th, 2009
1:08 pm
I have slammed Wren on this blog, but it appears that he has put together a team that has a chance at the post season. I was happy to see Laroche return. I am still sad to see Smoltz and Glavine go out kicking and screaming, but it appears that Wren was correct.
coach smith
August 10th, 2009
1:10 pm
Just ask yourself who would you rather see in a given situation SMOLTZ or ACOSTA?
Halibut Maoir
August 10th, 2009
1:10 pm
Lets see sign a 42 year old with 8+ era with the hope he MIGHT help your bullpen-uh NO! I’m a John Smoltz fan,but reality has to set in. Another clue he might not have it anymore,how many other clubs are beating down his door to sign him? None that I’ve seen reported. Sorry John
knitter picker
August 10th, 2009
1:10 pm
Smoltz pissed me off but I say sign him to a AAA contract and let him work out of the pen.
I’m not a computer geek but can someone tell me what his line looked like in the 1st inning of all his starts this year. That would be similar to coming out of the bullpen.
If he did take the minor league deal to show his stuff then sign him for the league minimum. If he doesn’t like it then tell him hell to the no.
This is coming from a fan that repects his work but hates his attitude.
Gman
August 10th, 2009
1:11 pm
Smoltz time has come and gone. He and the Red Sox were the only one’s who thought otherwise. Now it is only John who thinks so.
If anyone wants to see him pitch, schedule an exhibition game on an off day. On second thought-just retire Smoltz. IT’S OVER!!
count_schemula
August 10th, 2009
1:11 pm
He is still a Red Sox. If he does not go to the minor leagues for them, he will not do it for us. At this point he owes whatever he has left to Boston. They have paid the man in full.
Shadetree
August 10th, 2009
1:11 pm
Enter your comments here
coach smith
August 10th, 2009
1:12 pm
I would take SMOLTZ as that middle situational reliever
I’d only do it though if we had to trade nothing for him and obviously the SOX picking up his salary
Shadetree
August 10th, 2009
1:13 pm
Boston cut Smoltz today