Update from this morning…..I heard an interview with Smoltz today and he truly seemed affected that GM Frank Ren and the Braves weren’t willing to put together an incentive laden contract like the Bo Sox. He mentioned that the last three times he had come around for free agency that he did what it took contract wise to stay with the Braves.
Clearly I am not privy to any inside info from the Braves front office nor do I play golf with Smoltz, it just seems like Smoltz wasn’t willing to take a contract for 5mil without incentives and the Braves weren’t willing to go to 8mil with them.
Correct me if I’m wrong but hasn’t Smoltz been having health issues for the last 5 seasons and been getting paid to get well while not playing? If he was so willing to help the club for the last 20 years why is he not willing now?
Purely business wise the Braves have paid Smoltz a lot of cash over his time with the club and at least some of that time (27%?) he has been injured but still getting paid…....I just don’t understand why this contract, probably his last, had to be for 8 million instead of 5 million when he is already so rich his family + 5 Smoltz generations are set. And there are no guarantees that he will make the 8 million b/c he may/prolly will get hurt.
