John Smoltz is set to clear waivers today at noon. When he does, the Cardinals are going to sign him. They’re going to use him as a fifth starter initially, with thoughts of moving him to the bullpen late in the year or for the playoffs.
The Cardinals are one of the few contenders who really have nothing to lose by giving Smoltz a shot in the rotation. Between Todd Wellemeyer, Mitchell Boggs, Brad Thompson, and P.J. Walters, their fifth starters have been utter abominations. Those guys are a combined 10-15 with a 5.45 ERA, and given that they’ve allowed 320 baserunners in 188 1/3 innings, that ERA probably represents good luck.
Only downside: NL guys like me will bang our heads against a wall if Smoltz waltzes in to St. Louis and starts to pitch effectively, because it will just be the latest painful data point reminding us of the disparity between the leagues.