Smoltz to Boston

I was merely disappointed that Stafford and Moreno left, but this is devastating. I hated it when Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine left, but this is the first time probably since the 1996 world series that I've been heartbroken. Smoltz has always been my favorite Brave, and I have to admit that the Front Office takes the blame for this. If it was just any 42 year old pitcher coming off a third or fourth surgery, and he wouldn't be ready until the end of May, I could understand letting him walk. But this is John Smoltz! He's an Atlanta sports icon, and he, along with Chipper Jones has been the face of the franchise. Smoltz is the only one that has been with the Braves from the start of the run in 1991, and if Tom Glavine doesn't return, all of the 1991 Braves will be gone. Apparently Smoltz was guaranteed two million with a few more in incentives. Boston offered a guaranteed five million, and he took it. How could Frank Wren let anyone top our offer?

The only way this would have made sense is if Atlanta had spent up all its money in making the team a World Series contender and simply couldn't shell out the money to Smoltz. But they have at least 30 million sitting on the shelf, so it's inexcusable. You can't use the rebuilding ploy because you came out and said you were going to spend money and make the team competitive. If you were going to rebuild, why try and trade young guys for Jake Peavy? Why offer AJ Burnett and Rafael Furcal contracts? Why offer Mike Hampton more than Smoltz? Smoltz isn't the difference between 70 wins and a division championship, but he wouldn't impede the rebuilding progress. As a matter of fact, he could still mentor the pitchers like Jurjjens, Morton, Hanson, etc.

I think not making the moves to make the Braves better probably made the decision easier for Smoltz, who undoubtedly wants another shot at a championship that he wasn't going to get here with the roster as is. But to lowball a guy who has sacrificed for and poured his heart and soul into an organization for 21 years is pathetic. Wren probably is too stupid to realize that this will make a significant, negative impact on PR and attendance. Fans still pack the Ted, just to watch Smoltzie pitch.

Add Frank Wren to the **** list.