John Smoltz Released by Boston Red Sox

Veteran pitcher John Smoltz has been released by the Boston Red Sox, after only winning two of his eight starts with the team, and posting an ERA of 8.33. Smoltz pitched only 40 total innings this season, and gave up 59 hits and 37 earned runs. The move was expected to be made earlier last week, but made official today.

Smoltz's last start with the team, came on August 6th, when he allowed eight earned runs in only three innings pitched against the New York Yankees, resulting in a loss. It was Smoltz's worst start of the season, and he would be designated for assignment, a day after his disastrous outing. The last straw came when the Red Sox wanted to send Smoltz to the minor leagues, to work on his mechanics, but Smoltz declined the option. The Red Sox were forced to either trade him or release him.

The 42-year-old righthander signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox in January, worth $5.5 million. There were high expectations coming into the season, from the team and fans. Smoltz was getting older, and headed towards the end of his career, but the Red Sox took a gamble, that didn't pay off.

Before his short stint with the Boston Red Sox, Smoltz spent his first 20 seasons with the Atlanta Braves from 1988 to 2008. Smoltz rotated between a starting pitcher and a closer, during his time in Atlanta. Smoltz won 210 games and saved 154, while a member of the Braves, and was a big part of the Braves dynasty in the 90's. Smoltz has 15 postseason wins, which is the most for a pitcher all-time. Smoltz led the Braves to the World Series multiple times, but won the World Series only once, in 1995. Smoltz also won the Cy Young Award in 1996 and has been selected to the All-Star Game, a total of eight times. Smoltz has had a great career and is a lock for the Hall of Fame, once he retires.

Smoltz will officially become a free agent on Wednesday, once he clears release waivers. Numerous teams, mostly in the National League and the Texas Rangers, have shown interest in signing Smoltz. Smoltz, himself, has said that he is not going to retire, and is open to joining other MLB teams, either as a starter or reliever. The team that does pick up Smoltz, only has to pay the pro-rated $100,000 veteran minimum salary, with the Red Sox having to pay the bulk of the contract.