Anthony Tobis reveled in it. Ethan Booker did some adept damage control. Our clan of baseball fans had differing opinions on the future, but John Smoltz's time in Boston appears to have run out on the news that the Red Sox have designated him for assignment.
The numbers were terrible. In eight starts, he was 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA. He only completed six innings in a start twice, and otherwise labored through issues ranging from velocity to throwing it right down the freakin' middle of the plate. In six starts he gave up at least five runs, and his 3 1/3, eight-run shellacking at the hands of the Yankees last night was the final straw.
Will the 42-year-old retire? Perhaps not, because there are tons of playoff teams that need pitching. Perhaps a team like the Detroit Tigers would like to accept the Hall of Fame-bound pitcher from Warren, Michigan into their bullpen. After all, it was the Tigers who drafted them but never saw him in an Olde English "D" jersey, since they sent Smoltz to the Braves in the famous 1987 Doyle Alexander trade.
Or perhaps the Angels could use the guy. Greg Maddux had a penchant for going westward in the twilight of his career. Of all the playoff teams, the Angels have the worst bullpen ERA (4.76).
A John Smoltz retirement would cease any activity of the fabled Atlanta Braves pitching rotation, save for Kevin Millwood, the Joe Besser of the group. Hey, my childhood had to end sometime.
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Article comments
1 - Tony
I'd love to see Smoltz come back to the Tigers as a setup man and possible closer. That would be some real full circle shit.
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
The Tigers would be perfect if they weren't in a playoff race. Instead I'm saying it's 50-50, dependent on both Bondo and Robertson not being able to get it done when they return as 'penners. But the Angels need relievers, so I think it's more likely he goes there. Or even the Yankees. But whoever gets him will use him as a setup man.
3 - Carl in Alaska
I'd love to see the Angels sign Smoltz. He could still function as a short reliever, first as a setup man, then if necessary, as a closer. Brian Fuentes got rocked in the recent Cleveland series, and I'm concerned about his consistency.
4 - Tony
I don't see the Yankees taking him. The Tigers would be perfect because they have such a weak pen. Yeah Seay has been better this season but Smoltz is a much better setup man and gives insurences for the always shaky Rodney.
I could also see the Angels possibly making a play, that's a good call.