John Smoltz Joins St. Louis Cardinals

Veteran pitcher John Smoltz has agreed to a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals have to pay Smoltz, only the prorated portion of his salary, which accounts to $100,000. The Boston Red Sox have to pay the $5.4 million remaning, of the $5.5 million contract that Smoltz signed with them, earlier this season. Smoltz wanted to pitch in the National League, since he got roughed up in the power-hitting American League East, and he got his wish. There were many other MLB teams that were interested in Smoltz, like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, and the Texas Rangers, but the Cardinals landed him. Smoltz will be with the Cardinals on Thursday, when they play the Padres, in San Diego.

Smoltz is expected to join the Cardinals' starting rotation, as probably the #4 or #5 starter. The Cardinals have quality starting pitching, with Chris Carpenter, the ace, leading the way. The Cardinals have been looking for a reliable fifth starter, behind Adam Wainwright, Joel Pineiro, and Kyle Lohse. Todd Wellemeyer has been the fifth starter for most of the season, before being sent to the bullpen last month. If starting pitching doesn't work for Smoltz, he could turn into a relief pitcher, or a closer for the team. His first pitching start has not been announced yet.

The Boston Red Sox released Smoltz on Monday, after he only won two of his eight starts this season, with an ERA of 8.33. His last start with Boston was the worse of the season for him. Smoltz gave up eight runs in only three innings, against the New York Yankees. The Red Sox wanted to designate Smoltz for assignment in their minor league system, to work on his mechanics and to bring up his confidence, but Smoltz declined. The Red Sox were forced to either trade him or release him, which they did.

The Cardinals will be Smoltz's third MLB team. He spent the first 20 seasons of his career with the Atlanta Braves, where he had his best success, winning a World Series in 1995. This season, he signed a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, before being released. Smoltz has a career record of 212-152 with a 3.32 ERA and 154 saves in 21 MLB seasons. Smoltz is the only pitcher in major league history to have 200 wins and 150 saves.

The Cardinals are looking like a lock to make it to the postseason. They are playing their best baseball right now and are 15 games over .500, with a record of 68-53. They are six games ahead of the second place Chicago Cubs, and are comfortably leading the NL Central. It seems that St. Louis is now stocking up on their weak spots, so they can try to make a deep postseason run. Smoltz will give the Cards, a big boost in pitching.