Atlanta Braves: Should John Smoltz be re-signed to help Braves bullpen?

Give him a shot at the bullpen. Other than Lance Armstrong, no athlete I’ve ever seen is more resilient than Smoltz. Give him three shots. If he can’t do it, retire him while he’s wearing an Atlanta jersey….which is the way is should be.

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What part of his 8+ ERA do you consider worthy of our bullpen?

He had his shot, he chose to take more money, which I have no problem with, but he then made the mistake of throwing the Braves completely under the bus to the press.

Pass.

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i say bring him back and stick him in the pen…. just in case soriano starts to struggle.

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Give him a chance. He’s a Brave. Best closer the Braves have had in their francise history.

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NO, Tom has run out of gas and it’s time for him to hang it up. He’s been a great pitcher and will go down in history as such but his stint with Boston demonstrated that he’s no longer the “Tom Terrific” we once knew. I respect him as a man but his usefulness as a pitcher has past.

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no chance he returns given how things transpired this offseason.

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Hell to the no.

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I say no. Not because I don’t think he has the potential to help, but because I think the Braves burned their bridge with John Smoltz when Frank Wren and company lied to the fans and the public, claiming the Braves’ offer was similar to Boston’s.

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No way. This team has just found it own identity after exercising the ghosts of league championships past. I think it would mess up the chemistry and he just isn’t the same pitcher.

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Money will be an issue unless he clears waivers and then we can pick him up for the minimal.

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Why not? Let him do a couple of relief innings to help rest the bullpen for the stretch run. It would be a good P.R. move for one, and two you have nothing to lose. If he has anything left at all, he would be worth it. If not, at least you mend fences with a guy that gave the team everything he had.

Remember, this is the national league where he would be more comfortable. And his post season experience would be valuable to these guys if they made a run here at the end!

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i would bring him back. the closer role for the braves remains suspect

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Yes, he should have stayed in the bullpen all along. It was a mistake to start using him as a starter again. We could really use him as a setup man or even a closer.

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Closer role suspect? Soriano has had 2 bad games this year. Gonzo was very good for a while.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Smoltz out of the Bullpen. Would be ironic if he left the Braves to go to a contender (and more money) then came back and ultimately helped the Braves into the post season again. Dreaming here, but would be funny if the Braves met the Red Sox in the WS and Smoltz was a dominant force against them.

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You can’t go back folks, let the Braves move forward without the dead weight er,uh, dead arm. Frank Wren did not lie about the contract, with incentives reached it was near the same money.

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I would offer him a minor league contract, see how he respodns for the G-Braves and if things look good bring in up when rosters expand in September. Can’t hurt to have his arm in the pen, if he has anything left, for the final push

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before everyone has the braves in the playoffs and world series, the braves has to prove they can beat the teams in their division. the nationals especially. the nats own the braves.bobby cox is geared up to put kelly johnson back in the lineup which will spell trouble for the braves.until they learn to beat the nats and marlins they will come up short

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bring back smoltz and release manny acosta. he can’t do any worse than soriano and acosta

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Let him clear waivers, then pick him up on the cheap and put him in the pen. Let him close when we are up big. I just want to be able to go to the ballpark and watch Smoltz walk from the pen to the mound in the 9th while they play Thunderstruck. That is pure awesome.

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What is going on with people being down on Soriano? Here are his numbers for the season:
IP W S K ERA WHIP K/9
52.0 1 17 69 2.42 0.96 11.94

That is not struggling!!!!!!!

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I doubt if Smoltz’s ego would allow him to be a set-up man in the bullpen. Aside from that, his behavior after the Braves failed to sign him and his statements about Glavine being cut would render him untouchable in my eyes. Besides, everything has always been about him, not the team. I say NO!!!!!!!

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If Glavine went through rehab and got cut loose, then no dice for Smoltz, move on. It’s all sentimentality.

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ABSOLUTELY NOT. Smoltz got 14 mil to sit in the broadcast booth last year, then refused a perfectly reasonable, incentive laden offer to finish a 22 year career with the team who made him a very, very rich man. Not only did he sell out to the opposition for the eqiv. (to him) of pennies, but he trashed the team, the city and left his teammates hanging in the wind. Thankfully, Wren was correct (as he usually is) and we did better without him. We owe him nothing but a swift kick in his greedy, self-righteous posterior. His bust in Cooperstown should be of a golf cart with cash flying out of the back.

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Interesting question, I try to project toward the last 10-15 games of the season and we are hot on the tail of the Phillies; Moylan, Soraino, and Gonzales have made umpteen appearances all with repaired arms, would I rather see Boone Logan, Manny Acosta, or Smoltz try to hold that critical game(s) for a couple of innings? ..Send Smoltz to AAA Gwinnett for a while( in his backyard) and then give him the chance.

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Smoltz could make this team better……even if he doesn’t pitch like he used too, simply his presence could make the Braves a better team. I don’t think Smoltz is done and I think he can still get out National L. hitters out…..as a closer anyway. I think he can easily gain 3 to 5 mph on his fastball as his arm gets stronger. With his knowledge of pitching and WINNING he is worth a shot….especially at the league minimum. Put him on the team and if he doesn’t do well leave him off the playoff roster….simple as that.

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L.W. Your looking at the whole picture like me. There’s definitly high reward on bringing him back.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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threw… argh

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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.

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He should retire and go on tour with Winger.

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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.

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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.

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Bridges burned, fork inserted. Time to play golf with Tommy and enjoy retirement. He just got remarried. He has enough to keep him occupied.

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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.

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if you want the braves to go to the playoffs they do need another bullpen guy but sadly john smoltz isnt the anwser

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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.

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For those of you who caught it, sorry I meant to delete the apostrophe in my second “its”

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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.

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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.

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Of course let him come back. He can help that bullpen and, of course, retire with a Braves jersey. A no-brainer!

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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.

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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.

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Greg from Marietta – you are an idiot.
We are talking about Smoltz here not Glavine, you moron

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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……..

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Smoltz isn’t coming back so this is a moot point.

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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.

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One walkoff homerun doesn’t mean I should lose my job to Grandpa!!!!

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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…..

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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.

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NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

…but get Maddux involved with the organization.

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Correction @ my 12:42 post: They should NOT take roster spots that the top minor leaguers have earned….

Sorry about that.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Smoltz should not be brought back. It is time to move forward. Frank Wren was right about Smoltz and Glavine.

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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…

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GermanBravesFan is a clown. And he likes men.

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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.

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Bringing Smoltz back is like rewarding a spoiled child for bad behavior. He is not deserving of the respect that was given Niekro.

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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…….

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NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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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.

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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…

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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?

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No, he’s done.

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Just ask yourself who would you rather see in a given situation SMOLTZ or ACOSTA?

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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.

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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.

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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

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I have mixed feelings, my heart says yes, but my head says no. I really don’t think it would work out no matter how much us old dogs would love to see him on the mound, just one more time in a Braves jersey.

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Other teams want Smoltz?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4387781&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

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Sure bring him back, hire him, say 12 mil. over one season. And while your at it, Let Glavine come back also, but lets be resonable about this only give Glavinve 10 mil. And while we’re at that maybe Obama can give us a resonable health care plan!?!?!?!? Im sorry, that last one just aint gonna happen. But then again neither are the first two………..That is all! Later!

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Soriano is the best of our pretty good bull pen, man people axpect alot sometimes. Do half of you really watch the games or just comment after watching one game when american idol isnt on??

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What do all of the following have in common? Knucksie,Spahn,Sain,Rick Camp, Steve Avery,Bruce Sutter, Steve Bedrock, & Mark Wohlers. They like Smoltz have nothing left and the Braves are not thinking of re-signing any of them either!!!!

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Bring Smoltz back. It would be the classy thing to do. Scherholz already said he didn’t like the way the Smoltz departure was handled. This would be a chance to heal the would even if Smoltz couldn’t contribute much. Bring him back and let him retire and enter the HOF a Brave. It would be a classy move even if he’s not needed much.

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The Braves have played too well the last week to have any distractions thrown into the mix. Smoltz would want to come back as a starter and would once again want to be the “head” guy in the dugout. He left. He can’t cut it there. Let him go cost another team important games, not the Braves. Quite frankly I am sick and tired of hearing about all the people who aren’t playing in Atlanta anymore (Smoltz, Glavine, Vick), let’s talk about people who matter, people who are playing now.

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He is a brave. He should be with us! Pitching in Boston, without getting the proper time to ease in, was a recipe for disaster. He needs to come home. There will be plenty of opportunities for relief work. We can use him!!! Why not?

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If John Smoltz is open to pitch as a reliever again then why not? If it works the Braves strengthen their Bullpen and allow John Smoltz to rejoin the Braves and when ready retire as he should- an Atlanta Brave. If it does not work out then what really have you lost!

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YES! Bring Smoltz back to the ATL!! Hes not self centered… hes a Brave at heart… i guess some of you fools havent been long enough to remember all the times he turned down BIG $$ from the Yankees to stay a Brave!
He left for the $ just like most of us would leave our jobs for another that payed double!

It worked out best for both parties! We didnt have to pay him most of the year, and he would be fresh for the playoff run. Smoltz now knows he cant go 5+ innings anymore, and therefore would be a great addition to the bullpen!!
HE DID SHUT DOWN THE RED HOT YANKEES FOR 3 INNINGS!! Could most of our bullpen do that …. NO! Actually alot of teams are interested in Smoltz….apparently some GM’s know more than some of you fools do that think hes washed up…. go figure!

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Ummmm….who would you rather see coming in….Smoltz or Acosta?

Smoltz in a landslide. Give him 2 weeks in the minors and then a call up to see, but only at the lague minimum. Soriano is not the shut down man Smoltz is for one inning. If you let emotions get in the way of bringing him back, ur just nuts.

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Kinda perfect timing…my blog post today is about Smoltzy. My verdict: time for him and Glavine to hang up their tomahawks: http://braveskatie.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/08/knowing-when-to-fold-em-a-lesson-from-23.html

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I am eternally grateful for everything Smoltz has done for the Braves in his first tenure with the Braves, but I think he’s out of gas. Also, we just don’t have the money left to take a chance on a pitcher that may cost us wins by having blown saves or turn a close game into a sure loss. Love you Smoltz and I’m sure you’ll go into the Hall of Fame in 5 years.

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No way. How smart does Wren look now.

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Hmmm… this shouldnt be hard… should we add a guy who……………
A: Is one of the most dominating postseason pitchers of all time.
B: a Brave at heart who turned down greater offers from other teams over the years.
C: The only pitcher ever with 200+ wins and over 150 saves, including the NL record for saves
D: Even at 42 just shut down the powerful and redhot Yankees lineup the first time thru the order, including striking out A-Rod and Johnny Damon….without his best stuff.

Nope… according to half of the genius’s on here…any joe smoe would of done all that, and anyone would of turned down more money from the Yankees to stay a Brave. Whats that… u mean Tex didnt stay?
Some of you need to GET OVER YOURSELVES! Smoltz has done alot for this organization and us true fans appreciate it! Just like us true fans look deeper into the #’s than just ERA and realize he only had a few bad innings (he usually did well the first time thru the order).
Smoltz had the right to speak his mind about the Glavine situation… etc… this is America after all! If anyone deserved to be honest and speak his mind its Smoltz after all the loyalty he showed to us fans.

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Sure, for the Gwinnett Braves.

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This would be an incredibly dumb move. The Braves bullpen doesn’t need bolstering, and Smoltz hasn’t proven he can pitch after his most recent surgery.

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Smoltz was a great player for the Braves for many years and I was one of his biggest fans. However, he talked way too much after he signed with the Red Sox about how the Braves didn’t step up to sign him. Not to mention all he had to say about the Braves and Glavine situation. If Smoltz hadn’t become the outspoken, bitter, selfish player he became, I would be all for him putting on a Brave uniform. However, with the way he went on every sports talk show and espn to voice his displeasure about the Braves organization, I have to say no. He could have been a man about the way he left and just said “the Sox offered me more money” but he couldn’t and he didn’t. The Braves OWE John Smoltz nothing. Smoltz can thank the Braves for all the years of support and the paychecks. Baseball is a business and John forgot that when it pertained to himself……and Glavine.

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I hate to say this but the acquisition would make an interesting story. I still think he can close some games for us and may help us overtake the Phils in that role. The problem is I think he would rather retire than half to “eat crow” to come back to Atlanta. But the story is pretty interesting.

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He took more money gambling on a better contender and lost. I’d have him back for peanuts but it looks like he’s washed up. If you ask me, Glavine got the rawest deal of the two…

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Can we squash this right now? SMOLTZ IS NOT EVER COMING BACK TO ATLANTA. Wren ain’t bringing him back, and no matter how much you think he would be effective for an inning here or there, it WON’T be here. FIRST, Smoltz will have to swallow his pride and agree to come out of the bullpen, something he could have opted to do at the beggining of the year and still be a Brave. SECOND, if and when he does that, he will go to ANOTHER team, NOT ATLANTA. This story is BS, it’s reality check time.

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I’m with NativeBird. Out of gas. Go play golf and try to get by on your millions. The Braves proved this past series with the Dodgers that they don’t need to make any changes right now. I don’t feel sorry for him at all. You don’t bad mouth the team that you were with for years. It’s in pour taste. Have some class. You have plenty of time to go find some now.

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Who do they move or can to make room for him? At best, see if he’ll take a Gwinnett deal.

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i am a huge smoltz fan but absolutely under no circumstance should the braves bring him back. all of the folks say sign him and give him a chance to prove himself in gwinnett are wrong. he has had the chance to prove himself in the minors and in boston this year and he proved that he can not get major league hitters out anymore. what in the world makes anyone think he could be a closer. the braves are trying to make the playoffs not win a popularity contest with smoltz. i dont care if he would pitch for ZERO money, the braves can not afford any more given away games.

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While we’re at it,let’s get John Rocker! NOT!

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Smoltz could have been a Brave…frankly, I’m glad he chose no. Let him retire.

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i think bravesfan79 must really be bobby cox. that comment sounds like some of the meaningless junk that comes out of the mouth of cox. so many times after he has a pitcher just got torched cox will say that the pitcher only made a couple of bad pitches and really threw the ball pretty good. bravesfan79 claiming that only a few “real fans” understand what is really going on is a joke. how about understanding this…i havent seen any other teams knocking smoltz’s door down after he got lit up in boston.

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Lidge has been bad lately, … what if the Phillies pick him up as a closer?

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YES YES YES, Smoltz can replace Acosta in the bullpen, enough said!!

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NO

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NO don’t sign Smoltz unless he’s super cheap and only for the bullpen. He is out of gas!

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NOPE

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For crying out loud, have you all seen how he’s been pitching this season? It’s over.

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Bring John Smoltz back if he drops the attitude at the gate and comes in to help teach the young guys about getting to the post-season with his mentality and work ethic.

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Who is Tom?

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Even when (not if) he clears waivers, there are several other NL teams more hard-up for bullpen pitching who would almost certainly make more enticing offers to Mr. Smoltz. My guess is that he still has some decent relief work in that arm, but regardless, I see neither how the damage from the past year can be undone, and I don’t think the Braves would be willing to pony up as much money as he’d want. My personal opinion is that unless he’s willing to come pitch on the cheap and accept a rather minimal role, all parties are best off with him pitching somewhere else – or his simply retiring.

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and Frank Wren has been right about every move he has made this year and the offseason!! Except overpaying for KK.

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JEFF FRANCOUER HAS JUST BEEN TRADED!

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Don’t see Smoltz accepting a minor league assignment…not for one day, not for one month. Other teams will vie to sign him. The Braves offer of the minimum will, once again, insult him (in his opinion). Best not to go there as the team needs to concentrate on winning. His harsh words sealed his pitching fate here. Can’t wait for the retire the jersey ceremony. Glad he was here for so long, sad to see him go, but none of us can roll back time. Didn’t Cher sing that song?

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If Smoltz were smart he would petition MLB to ‘forgive’ him this last, vain, attempt at a comeback and forgetabout his having pitched this season. That way he, Glavine and Maddux could all go into the HOF together – that assumes Smoltz is good enough.

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let him try then let him retire in a braves uni

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I love John Smoltz as a player and even more as a person. Having said that, I think he’s done. I don’t want to see Smoltz go through the pain of hanging around too long. He deserves better than that. I think Frank Wren could have handled his situation better but Wren was right. Smoltz wasn’t ready to pitch. I hope John retires with his resume as it is and heads to the Hall of Fame. As for those riding Manny Acosta, have you forgotten that he has gotten better as the season has gone on? Over the weekend, he pitched some very meaningufl baseball and did pretty well. He’s young. Why are fans so quick to cast young players on the scrap heap and want to recycle players?

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In the immortal words of Whitney Houston – HEEEEELLLLL to the NAAAAWWWWWW. Smoltz time has passed and there is no need to bring his old arm back to the A.

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Evidently we are all mistaken – Perry Laurentino says we need to wait until Leo Mazone gets back from Maryland before we claim Smoltz is done. It might just be something mechanical that explains why he has the highest ERA in the big leauges.

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Yes!! I LOVED watching Smoltz in relief at Turner Field. They should bring back the same intro, too, with the video graphics then fade to black as the camera shows him jogging in from the outfield. That was one of the most exciting intros in sports I’ve ever seen. You just knew the game would be saved after he ran out to the mound!

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Yes i think the Atlanta Braves shold give John Smoltz another chance I think they were dumba**es for letting him go they never gave he a chance to prove himself.

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No it’s over. He couldn’t help the Bosox, why would it be any different for the Braves? He WAS a good closer for the Braves, but those days are gone and can never return. Why pay for someone who was good but isn’t now? He is done, had a great career, time to move on.

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Who is the idiot that says send Jurrjens to the bullpen on page 1? First off Spell his name right and second off, are you stupid or something? Jurrjens and Vazquez are carrying this freaking team!!!!

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If we can get him for a good price, why not! We dont have anything to lose, when has too much pitching ever been a problem? How did Tom Glavine get into the discussion? Someone must’ve smoked there lunch.

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let john coach little league

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I don’t know what the over-all reaction from everyone else is, but I say bring him back and let him shine for the Braves in the post-season. Give him a rookie salary and treat him as any other player, no special attention. If he don’t agree to that, kick his @$$ to the curb.

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Ok, new order of pitching for my great 58-10 slaughter:

Tom Glavine to start, Kent Mercker, Dan Kolb, Chris Reitsma, Mike Stanton, then John Smoltz to close the game. Maybe we can squeeze Don Sutton and Phil Neikro in as well.

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I say bring back Smoltz if they the Braves determine he could help them in a relief role, but I don’t see how he could with Hudson returning and Kawakami probably going to the pen. Even with his struggles, Kenshin has been 3x as effective as Smoltz. Some Braves fans need to learn that this is a pennant race in professional baseball, not a pageant for retired thoroughbreds or American Idol celebrity guest night. I remember when the SF Giants won over 100 games and missed the playoffs by one game to our Braves(probably the final straw that sent us to expanded playoffs) and I don’t think we want that here. Not that the Braves will win 100 games this year, but if they miss the playoffs by one game(which is a distinct possibilty) because we trotted out Smoltz for some Gordie Howe-like exhibiton start or relief appearance, that’s very well what could happen. And do we want that to be our last memory of a HOFer? I think not.

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Reitsma or Kolb whew I think that Green Tea must have been fermented.Bring him back on a trial basis.

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absloutely smoltzy would be a great addition to the bullpen.he has proven his worth with 154 saves and yes maybe he is not the same pitcher,but it has come to a comfort factor.he is home when it comes to atlanta.having smoltz,gonzalez,and soriano is a trivecta that no one wants to face in the later innings.I do hope that the braves go after smoltz and bring him back home where he belongs.
one final note!!!!!!! smoltzy could only improve us not hurt us.take the chance braves.we are making a push for our division although many critics said it couldn’t be done!!!!!! lets prove them wrong……….
GO BRAVES!!!!!

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I was as big of a John Smoltz fan as anyone out there (and still am), but it was obvious this spring that when the Braves wanted to “wait and see” he felt that he was disrespected…guess the Braves aren’t so dumb after all. Why would he want to come back? He is a very proud athlete and now would be crawling back to Atlanta for a few innings…Also, and probably more important – AREN’T WE PRETTY CLOSE TO WINNING? He hasnt proven to be effective so bringing him on could have terrible ramifications down the line. Next time we see Smoltzie the braves will be hanging his jersey up in Turner Field, right where it belongs.

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Smoltz’s age has caught up to him after last year. He has been suffering for while now with the Red Sox and like a sick dog he deserves to move onto another life. He should just hang up his spikes and glove and throw it into Cooperstown, NY after what he has done for the Braves and MLB.

What great competitor he was but he’s not the Smoltz we all knew of in his prime.

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I love smoltz but we are in a pennant race and can’t afford to lose 1 game much less 3 while we see if he has anything left,LETS GO WITH WHATS GOT US HERE!

He’s not going to be as good as any of our 5 starters or Soriano and Gonzales closing, so how can he help us?

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U really think his 8.33 will help if that case we should resign tom house are buzz capra are rick camp (oh wait he in prison)….nope

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Get over it for crying out loud. Do you have this much trouble getting over an old girlfriend? He has nto looked good and the Braves are starting to win. Let it go!!!

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i think we need to resign him & at the end of the year retire him with the braves where he needs to be

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A$$ Clown, I love it….

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Give Smoltz a try in the pen. Pick your spots where you use him. Let him pitch to only one guy or two max. Use him against hitters he has owned during his career. The closer we get to a playoff spot the more that will make sense. There are some players who just have not been able to hit Smoltz; also limit his pitch selection.

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He is washed up and a clubhouse lawyer. Just move on.

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While it may provide him some motivation, I believe it is over for John

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I agree…..Maddux for Pitching coach…… Pendelton as Manager

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He’s toast! Great career though. Give the youngsters their chance to shine.

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yes, yes, yes….let’s get smoltzy back!!!!

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We don’t need Smoltz. He is a whiny little b—h. Uh huh YEAH HE IS!!

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He’s done,finished, caput. Why is this even being brought up again? Here we go with all the Smoltz lovers freaking out. Move on and accept the fact that Wren was right!!

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the atlanta braves and this city provided him a great life and he left us behind – I have no real problem with his ‘expected lack of loyality ( like the rest of the has- been millionaire clowns playing a kids game), but it never really works out when you bring back this type of employee in any business ( see also glavine )

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Absolutley! And whatever his comments were about Glavine’s release would be true. I want to know when they are going to RELEASE

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Bring him back and dump Acosta. He has to build up his arm. Greatest competitor we ever had. Just gotta get him rolling.

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A starter????? Who in this rotation would he replace? He couldn’t even be our 6th starter once Hudson comes back in a few weeks.
I’d say put him in the pen, but he burnt this bridge during the Glavine fiasco. Time we all moved on.

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I think we should put McCann on waivers to get Smoltz on the roster. Clearly, this is a superior trade than Kotchman for LaRoche.

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Yes! Atlanta is home for John. I definitely think he should be resigned. He is one of the best!

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Smoltz is done for. I think his next career might be in the adult film industry. He could play an innocent caddie who meets a shy, yet experimental Tiger Woods on the 6th green. Smoltz and Tiger take man love to a whole new level. The film would do well in midtown and Newnan.

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I like the pitching coach idea!!!!

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Absolutely not. Anyone who wants to give him a shot has obviously been living under a rock the past month.

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John Smoltz would be a solid addition to the Braves’ pitching lineup. As a long reliever or closer he has the mental makeup and approach to the game which would be, if nothing else, a tremendous model forsome of the younger arms. He knows the game and loves to share his experiences with the team around him. I was disappointed the Braves let him go to Boston and wonder if they have the smarts to see the vast experience and enthusiasm he could bring to this team. The Braves need a clubhouse leader; John Smoltz is just that man.

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I believe Smoltzie would make a great announcer/analyst alongside of Joe Simpson and they can get rid of Big Mouth (Boog). My husband and I have watched John for 20 years and although we live in southern California, we have been Braves fans for many years. Smoltzie is a class act and a humble Christian. Would love to see him in the broadcast booth!

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I would have said yes had he left with a bit more class and not trashed the organization to the media when they didnt’ pay him what he thought they should. All Atlanta really wanted to do was make sure his arm could handle the strain of starting..well Boston paid the tab for finding out the answer to that question. Thats fine and good -that’s baseball. What I couldnt stomach was his attitude toward the Braves when the deal was done and even when they cut Glavine. I just dont see there being a happy homecoming and he and the front office being able to get along for the remainder of this season. As tempting as it may look on paper I say like a good many in the forum- hell no. If he’s willing to take a minimum salary and be a team player and help the Braves get to the playoffs then as they say “we’ll discuss it further.”
I’m with the Grinch, he is a self-centered SOB who would in my opinion be more of a hindrance than help at a time this team seems to be coming together as a unit for the first time all year

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Refer to the post of THE GRINCH of 11:46 am today and put in a gigantic DITTO for me.

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After suffering through many years as a Braves fan and then the glorious thrills of the ’90’s, I would love to see Smoltzy come back to our bullpen and eventually retire as a Brave, no matter what happens. Yes, he broke my heart when he went to Boston, but I’ll never forget the rush of seeing him come out of the Braves’ bullpen to close a game out. As great a competitor as he is, I know he’s got enough gas in the tank to get the job done at least a few more times.

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Get Smoltz and Glavine back – we would have the coolest bullpen in the majors! And then let them retire with the “A” on….By the way, I really think they could help down the stretch.

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Get real, every Brave fan loves John Smoltz and always will. But time has caught up with him and he is done. See you in your retirement ceremony in Atlanta and your Hall of Fame Induction in Cooperstown. Thanks for the memories, John.

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If Smoltz decided to become a FA, then the Braves should really try to sign him to the prorated veteran’s minimum. First of all, this will means that the relationship between Smoltz and the team has been mended (which needs to happen sooner rather than later). Second, there is definitely a use for another reliever (which the Braves failed to acquire at the deadline). Third, with the Braves still in contention, that should make this a better situation for Smoltz.

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You people call yourselves Braves fans. Give the man the respect he deserves. He battled for this team forever. He turned down millions many times before to stay in Atlanta. I thought the Braves should have signed him at the beginning of the year. If and when he struggled the way he did in Bostan he would have given it up and retired in the only MLB uniform he should have ever worn. Smoltz is and was a great humanitarian and did countless great things for the city of Atlanta and its residents. Give the man respect. How many elbow surgeries did he come back from? How many times could he have left for greener pastures? Fans that want to throw him under the bus make me sick. The same idiots are the ones yelling to get rid of Chipper and bring Francoeur back because he was a great high school player. Give me a break. I dont think the Braves should sign him back now unless its just to retire a Brave. Baseball is a buisness and sometimes it isnt fair. The Braves from a buisness standpoint probably made the right call, but I would have rather seen Smoltz retire as a Brave. Either way show some respect losers!

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Smoltz may find his place in a pen somewhere, but I think if he didn’t actually a burn bridge out of Atlanta, he darn sure charred it. He’s moved on, the Braves move on. That’s business.

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I would offer John Smoltz the opportunity to work as a closer for the Gwinnett Braves for August. It is close to home and convenient. Given that he gets his arm strength and form up to his and the Braves standard, he could join the Atlanta Braves on August 30th or September 1st. If all that came to pass, then having an extra “closing” arm with one of the best MLB Play-off records in history, could provide a reward and a win-win situation for both the Braves and John Smoltz. If the Atlanta Braves can make a run now, John Smoltz can provide a boost in the clubhouse and maybe even on the field.

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Remember Warren Spahn. I think Smoltz is every bit as good,at least as a reliever.

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Remember Warren Spahn. Smoltze is ever bit as good at his age. Try him as a reliever and I think you would be surprised.

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It’s hard to imagine a Braves team with out the trio of Smoltz, Glavin and Maddox. Going through my twenties and thirties with these three as Braves pitchers and the major factor had in the teams success. Now, after a few years of struggling, I feel the Braves are on the edge of taking that step back to a successful and competitive seasons. (And seasons to come) John Smoltz deserves all the credit for his part in the historic season the Braves had for those 14 seasons. But, he’s just not a part of their future. If Smoltz was as valuable as so many believe, then other teams will give him a look. If he want’s to be a part of the Braves future then he may just have to take some time and be prepared for it to not be on the field. I would not take a step back for sentimental reasons and hope the result will be the same. Hope and sentimentality didn’t win those 14 titles and a World Series. Talent, hard work and hard decisions did . . . Good luck John.
Personally, I’d like to see all three, Smoltz, Glavin and Maddox back with the Braves . . .

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I have mixed emotions about bringing Smotlz back- but just maybe a little home cooking might do the trick.

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The Braves did Smoltzie a favor by not re-signing him and allowing him to play in Boston. Time for new/young blood in the lineup. Smoltzie’s bod is worn out and he needs to sink into a soft rocker along side former hurling mates, Glavine & Maddux. Father Time is calling!

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I THINK THAT HE SHOULD TAKE THE PLACE OF THE BAT BOY, SO THE BAT BOY CAN GO BACK TO SCHOOL OR WHERE EVER HE GOES THIS TIME OF YEAR. JOHN TURNED HIS BACK ON THE BRAVES, SO LET`S TURN OUR BACK TO HIM. WE MIGHT AS WELL THROW IN GLAVIN.. HE WAS JUST LIKE SMOLTZ, HE WAS AFTER THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR. HE SNUBBED THE ATLANTA BRAVES FANS TOO.

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Sorry John! You dumped us ! Thanks for the nice memories but we have moved on and I suggest you do the same. Now that we have a good chemistry on the team let us not bring back in old and bleeding. We are just fine. Personally I cant wait until Chipper is gone too! He is starting to show his age too. What is his AVG. for the last 40 games about .200. Hello new and fresh and goodbye old and bleeding. It is just business!

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Pitch batting practice maybe

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The current Braves baseball team since the All Star break
has more chemistry than any team I’ve seen since
the World Championship.
I contribute it to finally getting their mind set focused
and away from the distractions from Glavine, Smoltz and Frenchy.
Let the current team play it out, they don’t need any more
distractions.

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NO, NO, NO, NO! Smoltz should retire, and taking him back on the team is like the Falcons taking MVick, it’s a bad idea. It has taken the team 3 years to shake free from their past teams. Let’s not forget the bad press (stink) Glavine caused when the team got rid of him. Do you really want to go through that again with Smoltz. Wait a year and put him in the Braves hall of fame and be done with it.

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noway

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