John Smoltz was out of baseball for four days. Yesterday he agreed to a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. The former Cy Young Award winner was released Monday by the Boston Red Sox and has agreed to a deal today with the Cardinals after clearing waivers. He’ll join the club in San Diego tonight and start Sunday.
The Cardinals need to just pay him about $100,000. Boston will be left to pick up the $5.5 million they spent to sign Smoltz as a free agent. Smoltz is the only pitcher in major league history with at least 200 wins and 150 saves. He’ll be a great veteran presence in the clubhouse, but there’s a reason he was available. He went 2-5 with a 8.32 ERA in Boston.
Still, I think the reward is worth the risk. I’d take a washed up Smoltz and the knowledge he’ll bring over Todd Wellemeyer and/or Mitchell Boggs. Plus, the respect that Smoltz commands, the players will be battling for him. He may give up five or six runs, but he might also win 7-5 or 8-6.