John

Smoltz

Smoltz now has 163 wins and 142 saves with a 3.26 ERA for his career. He needs to finish only 10 of the Braves’ final 42 games for his $12 million club option for 2005 to vest.

It was a good day for Smoltz, who was also named the Braves’ Roberto Clemente award winner. He’ll be back with Atlanta next season, wanting to start, but probably having to settle for being one of the game’s Top 5 closers. Rough life.

In 16 multi-inning outings, Smoltz has allowed one run, good for an ERA of 0.37 and just one blown save. He’s a lock to finish four more games and see his 2005 option vest. What will be interesting to watch is whether the Braves honor his request to return to starting pitching, or force him to remain one of baseball’s best closers even though it’s a job he no longer wants.

This has been a rumor each offseason since Smoltz became a closer. The Braves would prefer to continue using him as a closer, but Smoltz still wants to start and the Braves might let him do so if they lose Russ Ortiz and Jaret Wright to free agency. One of the big issues with the switch is that Smoltz would make $100,000 per start in addition to his $12 million salary. Maybe renegotiations are in order.

Smoltz, who was due a $12 million base salary in his prior contract, receives a $6 million signing bonus and will be paid $6 million in 2005. He will earn $8 million in 2006, and the Braves hold an $8 million club option for 2007.

The deal, which serves to make Smoltz less expensive for 2005, will also include an option for 2008.

Atlanta might be more open to moving Smoltz into the rotation if he’s willing to renegotiate his deal. As is, he’d earn $15 million if he makes 30 starts next season. The Braves might be able to get rid of the $100,000-per-start incentive clause in exchange for adding a year to his contract.

Smoltz’s current deals calls for him to make $100,000 per start on top of his $12 million salary. That bonus figures to be wiped out as part of a new deal that would add at least one year to his contract. As is, he would be eligible for free agency next winter.

“I think about it a lot,” he said Wednesday. “That’s just the honest answer. I felt like I probably sealed my fate last year with 55 saves, but you never know.” Smoltz is owed $11 million next season in the final year of a three-year, $30 million contract. There’s an additional $12 million option for 2005 that vests if he finishes 57 games in 2004. That’s a figure he’ll probably reach if he closes and stays healthy all year.

It’s been nearly two weeks since Smoltz threw off a mound. The Braves expect him to be ready for the season’s final week, but if there is any pain in his elbow, his status for the playoffs could be in doubt.