Baseball Guru
12-02-2001, 08:00 PM
Smoltz agrees to three-year pact with Braves
Former starter will close games for Atlanta
By Jim Molony
MLB.com
Rather than become a starter elsewhere, John Smoltz decided to finish where he started his career 14 years ago: With the Atlanta Braves.
Smoltz agreed to terms on a three-year deal, with a club option for a fourth year, on Sunday, according to the team.
The Braves had initially offered Smoltz $8 million a year over three years. Schuerholz declined to specify final terms of the agreement. ESPN reported Smoltz will receive $10 million a year with the option on the fourth year worth $12 million.
Attempts Sunday night to reach Smoltz or his agent, Lonnie Cooper, were unsuccessful.
Smoltz, who was 3-3 with a 3.36 ERA and converted 10 of 11 save opportunities as the Atlanta closer in 2001, has incentives that kick in if he is moved back into the rotation. The free-agent right-hander was being courted by several teams to resume his former role as a starter, including the Yankees, Mets, Cardinals and Dodgers.
Smoltz has spent his entire 14-year career with the Braves and won the Cy Young Award in 1996 when he went 24-8 with a 2.94 ERA. The 34-year-old missed the entire 2000 season following elbow surgery and tried to come back as a starter. When his recovery didn't go as well as expected, he moved to the bullpen in late July. He was dominating as the closer, helping the Braves win their ninth straight division title. He saved two more games in the playoffs against Houston.
While other teams might have paid him more money -- the Yankees were reportedly considering a four-year, $52 million offer -- Smoltz made it clear he intended to keep his home in the Atlanta area even if he signed elsewhere.
"I'm far from done," he said last week. "I can do a lot of things. I feel I can win 20 games next year, or save 50."
Smoltz was exclusively a starter until this past season. His career record is 160-116 with a 3.35 ERA.
Former starter will close games for Atlanta
By Jim Molony
MLB.com
Rather than become a starter elsewhere, John Smoltz decided to finish where he started his career 14 years ago: With the Atlanta Braves.
Smoltz agreed to terms on a three-year deal, with a club option for a fourth year, on Sunday, according to the team.
The Braves had initially offered Smoltz $8 million a year over three years. Schuerholz declined to specify final terms of the agreement. ESPN reported Smoltz will receive $10 million a year with the option on the fourth year worth $12 million.
Attempts Sunday night to reach Smoltz or his agent, Lonnie Cooper, were unsuccessful.
Smoltz, who was 3-3 with a 3.36 ERA and converted 10 of 11 save opportunities as the Atlanta closer in 2001, has incentives that kick in if he is moved back into the rotation. The free-agent right-hander was being courted by several teams to resume his former role as a starter, including the Yankees, Mets, Cardinals and Dodgers.
Smoltz has spent his entire 14-year career with the Braves and won the Cy Young Award in 1996 when he went 24-8 with a 2.94 ERA. The 34-year-old missed the entire 2000 season following elbow surgery and tried to come back as a starter. When his recovery didn't go as well as expected, he moved to the bullpen in late July. He was dominating as the closer, helping the Braves win their ninth straight division title. He saved two more games in the playoffs against Houston.
While other teams might have paid him more money -- the Yankees were reportedly considering a four-year, $52 million offer -- Smoltz made it clear he intended to keep his home in the Atlanta area even if he signed elsewhere.
"I'm far from done," he said last week. "I can do a lot of things. I feel I can win 20 games next year, or save 50."
Smoltz was exclusively a starter until this past season. His career record is 160-116 with a 3.35 ERA.