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John Smoltz to the Red Sox?
The Hardball Times — There are rumblings out of Atlanta that the John Smoltz era may soon be coming to an end. Multiple sources have the Red Sox as the high bidders for his services. ...

John Smoltz Leaps Off Sinking Ship, Enters Hub Of American Liberal Thought
Can't Stop The Bleeding — The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Dave O’Brien claims Braves execs are “shocked” over John Smoltz’ decision to end 21 years with the club by signing a one-year deal with the Red Sox, and predicts ” a troublesome offseason for the Braves..they could now take the biggest public-relations hit in recent years.”  Though the Mets are characterized as confident in their pursuit of Derek Lowe by Newsday’s Ken Davidoff, the sudden vacancy in Atlanta’s starting rotation presents yet another ...

Braves CEO ‘shocked’ by Smoltz’s decision
BBTF's Baseball Primer Newsblog — Braves CEO ‘shocked’ by Smoltz’s decision “John is a great guy. He follows his own head, and I just don’t know what’s going on with him right now,” Braves Chairman and CEO Terry McGuirk said today. “We’ve offered less of a guarantee, but we’ve offered a substantial guarantee. Coming off an injury like this, we feel like it’s the right thing that we should be doing (in regards to our offer). “We’ve offered him a package that would get him in the $10 million range, if he were to pitch a full season and pitch well. For him to walk away from that and to go to another place, I’m ...

Friday Morning Rangers ... Questions?
Baseball Time in Arlington — ... ● While a beleaguered Terry McGuirk (Braves CEO) loudly bemoans the stunning defection of an iconic figure in Atlanta baseball to the Northeast, internal and external pressure is reportedly building on the Braves to make a big free-agent splash, as Newsday's Ken Davidoff writes: ...

A look at the Smoltz Signing
Rotoprofessor — ... David O’Brien of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution (click here for the article) has reported that the “Braves were expected to go no higher than $3 million guaranteed, regardless of other offers he got.”  That is a big difference, and the only pitcher who has won over 200 games while saving another 150 will most likely be taking his final bows in Boston, though the beginning of his farewell tour may not start until May or later thanks to surgery on his shoulder. ...

C’mon Braves, At Least Be Honest
Sabernomics — Before I get started, I am on the record defending the Braves’ decision to not match Boston’s offer for John Smoltz. I think it was the right move; and, even though many disagree, I think it should be understandable from a business perspective. So, why is the front office botching the PR of this difficult decision in a way that makes the organization look even worse? Here is the response of CEO Terry McGuirk. “John is a great guy,” McGuirk said. “He follows his own head, and I just don’t know what’s going on with him right ...