Sayonara Smoltzy

ESPN is reporting the shocking news that, lifelong Braves pitcher John Smoltz is close to a deal with the Boston Red Sox.

Now "close to a deal" by no means means that Smoltz will be wearing a red "B" or the god awful "hanging sock," but according to a story by Buster Olney, the Braves were reluctant to give Smoltz $3 million, and, considering his medical reports, "seem to have made a calculated assessment that Smoltz is not going to bounce back."

The Sox are guaranteeing the legendary pitcher $5 million and offering another $5.5 million in incentives, not too shabby for a guy in the twilight in his career who looked burnt to a crisp last year.

I welcome Smoltz. Sure, nobody knows what he has left, but I'm used to the Sox loading up on starting arms in the winter in the event of pitching injuries throughout the season. So, if Smoltz pitches great, awesome. If not, well I wish it could have worked out but the front office is only out $5 million.

The Braves clearly don't see him bouncing back but Smoltz has looked great in throwing sessions, according to numerous sources. We'll see. I trust the Red Sox front office with its personnel moves, so I wouldn't expect them to throw money at a dead arm. Regardless, a pitcher the caliber of Smoltz is worth the risk, especially considering the money the Sox are willing to shell out in order to win.

Nobody should expect 20 wins, 300 strikeouts culminating with a Cy Young Award. The future hall of famer is past all of that. What Sox fans should hope for is a consistent, 10 win presence in the five spot along with the ultra competitive, winning attitude that he will bring to the clubhouse. Also, the guy is lights out in the post season and will give the Sox more flexibility to ditch someone like Clay Buckholtz for a young catcher if Varitek walks. Of course that is all contingent on his performance.

Again, we'll see. Smoltz is by no means C.C. Sabathia at this point of his career, but if it happens, the singing will be huge. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but I cannot wait to see never say die Smoltz prove the Braves' front office wrong. If he doesn't, we and baseball fans everywhere will stand and appluad as he walks into the sunset.