With the news that John Smoltz’s recovery from labrum surgery in June of 2008 is progressing well enough that he was able to throw off a mound last week, it would only make sense that the Red Sox explore their options with the twenty one year vet.
The Sox view him in much the same way they looked at Bartolo Colon last March — as an experienced starter who could be signed for a low base salary to provide depth to the rotation.
Interesting the Herald should mention Smoltz as a “Bartolo Colon” type option for the Red Sox in 2009. In November, I raised Smoltz up as an option to be “The Next Bartolo Colon” right here on Fire Brand.
John Smoltz (41, 3-2, 2.57, 5, B)
It’s not clear that Smoltz can rebound from recent labrum surgery to pitch this year, but a 2nd half of the season run as a starter or reliever is possible. With his track record to perform in big spots, I would put him on the same pedestal for late season help that I would Curt Schilling.
Likelihood of signing a one year, sub $5 million deal with Boston (scale 1-10): 3
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