We all know Brad Thompson and Jason Motte have been struggling in the bullpen. Motte didn't make his case any better last night after giving up a hit, two walks, and a run in one inning, a run which ended up being the difference in a 5-4 loss. Although John Mozeliak has dispersed any initial rumblings of John Smoltz coming to the Cards, Tony La Russa is making it known that he would like to see the team pursue outside options across the waiver wire for relief pitching, according to Bryan Burwell of STLToday:
La Russa, suddenly a very greedy man, has that answer. "We could use another righthand threat in our bullpen," La Russa said. "Whether that guy could be (rookie reliever) Blake Hawksworth, we'll see. He has proven that he can give us innings. But even with Blake coming along, we're always searching and I know John is always searching to add some depth to the bullpen."I wouldn't consider myself greedy for looking for other possible ways to help the team, because there are always ways to optimize your current roster. Whether it be by internal playing time or external acquisitions, you always seek to make the team better. Given that there are few MLB-ready righthanded relievers available in the system, it makes sense to look outside. That's where Smoltz comes in, according to Buster Olney:
The interest from National League teams is likely conditional, given the fact that Smoltz posted an 8.32 ERA for the Red Sox and allowed eight homers in his final 15 innings. It is highly unlikely that any NL team would be willing to take Smoltz in a trade without some financial adjustment from the Red Sox, perhaps with Boston kicking in money to pay off a large portion of his base salary and roster bonus. Interested teams could also gamble and wait for Boston to simply release Smoltz, and sign him for the prorated minimum.Smoltz is making $5.5 million this year and can make an additional $35,000 for each day he spends on the active roster from June 1st to October 3rd. The Red Sox would love to get rid of the salary if they aren't going to be able to use him on the active roster, so getting some cash included is not likely.
Pro-rated, Smoltz is still due to make around $1.5 million the rest of the year in base salary. If he was on our active roster today, from now until the end of the regular season, he would be due an additional $1.8 million in bonuses for the $35,000 he makes each day. That's a hefty sum. I can understand an unwillingness to take that on unless Boston splits the bill. Maybe they're not willing to do that:
Smoltz, 42, is mulling his options. The Red Sox designated Smoltz for assignment on Friday when they made the move to take him off their 40-man roster. They would like the veteran to accept an assignment to the minors where he could transition into a possible relief role for Boston -- but the Red Sox also indicated they would like him to restructure a clause in his contract that allows him to make $35,000 for each day he is on the major league roster, above and beyond his base salary.The Red Sox look like they're going to try and make it work with Smoltz whether he's in their rotation or not. It would be unlikely that the Cardinals make a move for him with so much salary on the line and so many question marks. The Holliday Trade happened, a deal with a bunch of salary involved and serious question marks, so there's no reason this couldn't too. Just don't count on it.
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