The Atlanta Braves have reached an agreement on a contract extension with pitcher John Smoltz.
Smoltz, who turns 40 next month, will receive $14 million in 2008 as part of the deal. The new contract also includes a $12 million option for 2009 that becomes guaranteed if Smoltz pitches 200 innings the previous season. The club has an option for 2010, at a cost of $13 million if he pitches 200 innings in '09 or $12 million if he falls short of that total.
Smoltz is making $8 million this season. The deal for the right-hander, reported earlier Thursday by ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney, was announced after the Braves arrived in Denver for the start of a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Friday.
"Words can't describe how thrilled I am to have the opportunity to finish my career as an Atlanta Brave," Smoltz said in a statement. "I am thankful to the Braves organization for giving me the chance to play this long and to play out my entire career with one team."
Smoltz, who could have become a free agent after this season, has a 195-138 record with 154 saves and a 3.28 ERA. He is one of only two pitchers -- Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is the other -- with at least 150 wins and 150 saves in his career.
"This is a significant contract, both for the Braves and for John Smoltz," general manager John Schuerholz said. "We are delighted that John will be a Brave for at least next season and hopefully well beyond that. Through an amazing stretch of success, John has been a huge part of our club, both with his pitching and his leadership. He will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer."
Smoltz won the NL Cy Young Award in 1996 and has nine seasons with at least 14 wins. Also, he holds postseason records for wins (15) and strikeouts (194).
"This is great news because John is such an important part of our ballclub," manager Bobby Cox said. "He has been a dominating pitcher and leader in this league for years and is probably pitching as good right now as he ever has."
Smoltz began his career as a starter, but moved to the bullpen in 2001. He spent three full seasons as the Braves closer, setting an NL record with 55 saves in 2002.
Since returning to the rotation in 2005, Smoltz has gone 32-17 with a 3.34 ERA in 73 starts. He was 16-9 with a 3.49 ERA and 211 strikeouts last season.
Wrong thread, maybe someone can move it for you.. But anyways, glad to see this message scrolling across the bottom of ESPN. Smoltzy, a true Brave. Glad to see he will more then likely finish his career here in the ATL.
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Madden 2008
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Oops.. didn't see that you realized it was the wrong thread already Disturbed, my bad.
I am glad at least one of the big three is going to finish their career here in atlanta. I'll admit, I was hoping when glavine was a fa, that the braves would have resigned him. And Maddux too.....
Then again, not sure they could have afforded them.
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Yoda
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Greatest Show on Turf II
They never offered Glavine a deal because when word got to his agent that the most they would pay was 8 million a year for a 1 year deal Glavine went ahead and just accepted the Mets offer.
With Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton (coming back from injury, but gone for the year now), Chuck James, and Kyle Davies there really wasn't a need for a starting pitcher. Although with Hampton gone for the season I wish now they would have made the move to get Glavine also.
Hampton....the guy should sign a deal to play for the braves for the min salary for the next 3 years after this because off all the $$ they've paid the bench warmer.
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Yoda
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Greatest Show on Turf II
Actually his contract was mostly paid by Colorado and Florida. That was part of the agreement when they traded for him. This is the final year, so it will be interesting to see what happens.
Yeah, most of the first couple years were picked up by other teams. I thought last year, the braves paid the full tab, and this year also (a listing of the braves top players and the cap shows them paying hampton $15mil this year).
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Yoda
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Greatest Show on Turf II
I believe Hampton was worth the gamble as well. I believe in the two (?, don't know if thats the right number of seasons he's been healthy with us) seasons that he's played, he was a big impact on the second half of the season and our division runs both times. It's a shame he could never put it together like that in the firs thalf, may have had another Cy Young Award, or atleast been in the runningf or one, to add to his repituar. But I just don't know..
Mike Hampton has been the biggest dissappointment since he left the Houston, where he had ONE great year and a few mediocre years. I watched him pitch in Colorado and I like him, especially his bat as a picther...but he is the biggest waste of money. I wish Atlanta would have never gotten him.
As for Smoltz, I am glad to see he is going to finish his career here in Atlanta. Although I think 12 & 14 million is a bit much to be paying a 40+ year old, but he still has his stuff and that is what we need. Especially with our young pitching talent pool awaiting their turns....
Too bad money has pretty much ruined the game of baseball.
I think one of the things is that Smoltz is still one of the best pitchers in the game, and the other is that it's a bonus for being with the and his loyality. For his previous contract, he took way below his market value to stay with the braves.
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Yoda
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Greatest Show on Turf II
Also look at Smoltz's numbers. They are as good as any other starter in the national league last year.
There were guys who had less than a career .500 winning percentage and they were getting 10 million a year. I think they got Smoltz at a bargain.
Also, look at the triggers. He has to pitch at least 200 innings for the contract to roll over into the next season. If he gets hurt or slumps horribly, then he probably wont hit those triggers giving the Braves a way to get out of the deal.
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