So this week all us Atlanta Braves fans across the country have yet another reason to feel slighted this offseason. After 21 years in a Braves uniform, John Smoltz has decided to sign a contract with the Boston Red Sox.
Its a very tough pill to swallow I'd imagine for most Braves fans to see such a longtime player turn his back on the organization that has done so much for him and especially its fans. The only thing that would have made it worse would have been if he would have signed with the Yankees.
With the exception of the acquisition of Javier Vazquez in early December, Frank Wren in his second offseason as the Braves GM has been getting the proverbial shaft left and right. I would say that Smoltz's decision to leave is the very definition of kicking a man while he's down. Not trading for Peavy, missing out on AJ Burnett, getting swindled by Raphael Furcal's agents, and now this bombshell.
The contract Smoltz has agreed to, guarantees him $5.5 million up front, with incentives that could increase his earnings for the year up to $10.5 million. The contract the Braves offered him, guaranteed $2.5 million upfront, with anywhere from an additional $5 million to $8 million in performance based incentives, depending on who's report is more accurate. It also seems that the guaranteed portion of the contract kicked up to $5 million if Smotlz spent just 60 days on the active roster.
Smotz has earned a little over $130 million over the course of his Hall-of-Fame career thus far with the Braves. And unless his now ex-wife (who divorced him this past year after 16 years of marriage) took him to the cleaners, he shouldn't really be hurting for money.
So if its not a money-related move, then that leaves the two possibilities that he felt disrespected by the Braves organization, or he merely wants to take the best shot available at getting back to the World Series and winning another ring.
The disrespected line I'll buy, but its a slippery slope on both sides. However you slice it; Smoltz is a huge injury risk. He's 41 years old, and coming off a repair of his lab-rum and rotator cuff. After the Braves have had to eat large contract's like Mike Hampton's due to injury, I can understand their trepidation in guaranteeing Smoltz's contract for the 2009 season. To be fair their offer gave Smoltz a chance to earn quite a bit, it just didn't guarantee it.
So Smoltz feels that $2.5 million less guaranteed is a slap in the face? What about the previous $130 million you've earned jackass? What about the $8.5 million you got to ride the pine while injured in 2000? What about the $14 million you got for a whopping 28 innings pitched last year? Why Smoltz are you willing to turn your back on the Braves and your fans for a measly $2.5 million guaranteed?
On the other hand, its tough to realize the Braves are willing to let him slip away over such a small amount. I feel that they gave him the proper amount of respect with their offer while at the same time protecting the organization in the case that he doesn't return from injury well. Yes the organization still has lots of payroll to spend this offseason, but it would be better spent finding a more durable frontline starter, or a power-hitting left-fielder to protect Chipper Jones in the lineup.
Tim Kurkjian's recent article outlines how Smoltz is an unparalleled fierce competitor, and it makes sense to argue that Boston has a better chance to win the World Series next year than the Braves do. But here I thought John Smoltz stayed with the Braves for so many years out of loyalty. Apparently not. Smoltz was only ever granted free agency in 1996, and in 2001. 1996 was the Braves last trip to the World Series, and 2001 their last trip to the NLCS. I gag a little to think that Smoltz has wanted out of a Braves uniform for a long time.
I'm now glad that I decided a couple years ago to get a Chipper jersey rather than one of Smoltz's. But Chipper is apparently not happy with the way things were handled; hopefully they do him right when the time comes.
God I hope the Braves make it back to the World Series this year (as improbable as that may be) and Smoltz gets to watch from home.
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