Huge move by the Braves in locking up John Smoltz for 2008 and possibly beyond. The team announced today it has agreed to terms with Smoltz on a one-year, $14-million extension that includes options for both 2009 and 2010. Not only does it greatly help Atlanta, securing Smoltz also keeps him out of the Mets' hands, and you can bet they would have made a serious push this winter.
With Smoltz out of the mix, however, that could actually hurt Tom Glavine's chances of returning next season. There's no doubt Glavine would have been intrigued by the possibility of pitching with his good friend in Flushing next year, and now that it won't happen, add that to the minus-column.
Aside from the Glavine angle, would it be weird having Smoltz in a Mets uniform? Or is there more disappointment among Mets Nation that he won't be on the market this offseason?
On a completely unrelated topic, I couldn't help but read all the sordid details of the Gary Thorne-Doug Mirabelli-Curt Schilling bloody sock triangle. In doing so, I noticed that some people dredged up his clash with then Mets manager Bobby Valentine over comments about losing the Mets clubhouse. To which Valentine responded, "How the heck does he know. He’s never in our clubhouse."
I'm a big Bobby V. fan, but Thorne was in his clubhouse more than he knew. Because Thorne was always shuttling between baseball and hockey assignments, it wasn't unusual for him to be showering and changing clothes along with the players. He may have had his own locker at Shea.
Comments (16)
Dude, I still look at Glavine and see a Braves hat on him. I'm glad that I don't have to do that again with Smoltz.
Screw Smoltz. I say Omar start making some quiet calls to the Cubbies, and see if we can get the correct Zambrano this time.
Hmmm...
I'd take him next year in a heartbeat. Yes, Hate him cause he is a Brave but, who wouldn't take Smoltz on their roster?
Hey aren't ya glad Gary Thorne is no longer doing Met games?
I used to hate it when he used to crack up laughing.
I suspect he will be doing Hockey Night in Canada exclusively next year.
Rocko, interesting take on Glavine. But I can see him being a met long after Smoltz retires as a Brave.
Glavine has reworked his style and might be a Jamie Moyer-Seattle Mariner type for us. Plus I always love to see a mix of young guns ans savvy old guns to form a solid staff.
The time for Smoltz to the Mets was last year. If Smoltzie really wanted to be reunited with Glavine, he could have done so during the stretch run last year and asked to be traded to the Mets. The deal, would have been made in 48 hours after Smoltz agreed to an extension with Omar Minaya and the Mets.
I find it interesting that the Braves extend a hand to Smoltz, and during this past offseason they publicly ignore Tom Glavine when he opens up a window to return to the organization during his out clause period.
I guess the are not interested in his 300th victory. I too believe that Glavine will continue on. 369 is not an impossible goal with today's medicine and a commitment by the Mets to having a high powered offense.
Despite tonights loss, I am really pleased with Oliver Perez. After the first, he settled down, a lot of strikeouts, no walks. That tells me he is learning to focus and can really push himself to higher levels when he does focus. He has the talent. Also, if this is the way Alou hits after a rest, why don't we give him regular blows and let Endy Play for crimminy's sake?
I see the Newsday headline already, regarding Joe Smith's first start----
'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'
Please don't do it Newsday!
I think he will be able to give 5 innings, if he is economical.
His arm will need some stretching as he has been in the pen. But he is a wonderful kid and I am so glad the Mets have him. Go metz!
mets gotta start winning and more importantly creating space between themselves and the others in the division. I am getting sick of losing games to teams we obviously should dominate. It is like the Cardinals in the NLCS. Mets play down to the competition making some of the opposing players look better than they really are, or on paper anyway.
Enough with the losing to scrub teams, first place or not. It sets a tone. Mets are startin' to worry me.
I am still and always the #1 Met fan and I will never dump on my team, I just want Willie to preach more about setting a tone of winning and not accepting (just another loss to the nationals, oh lost two of three fom the braves, ho hum) It takes a village but Mets need a voice in the clubhouse. Too many quiet leaders.
oh and go get em Joe Smith!!!!!
It didn't make any sense having Perez bat in the top of the 6th with the bases loaded and one out. If Willie was trying to protect Perez's ego by not yanking him early, he would really learn a lot more by keeping his head in the game and gaining some control over his pitches. The Mets, in the first inning, were playing catch-up ball with a last place club. Where's the fire or killer instinct? Yes, it's early in the season but don't set a tone now with lackluster, non-aggresive, and unimaginative baseball. Especially, when the rhetoric through the Winter and Spring Training was about the team being motivated for winning this year. The Mets have a decent start but should make opportunities happen, not wait for them! Tonight, it resulted in another loss to a low ranking team. Willie, this one is on you! Get it in gear!!!
Sharraz,
I agree with you 100%!!! One of the first thoughts that came to mind was Game 7 of the NLCS. After Endy Chavez's spectacular catch, the Mets should have been motivated enough to win that game. Willie, you know that winning teams do just that. It didn't happen that way for the Mets. They have had all winter to think about it and a lackluster Spring. Except for the first series against the Cardinals, the Mets have been playing like a .500 team. It appears as though both Atlanta and Philadelphia are motivated and play that way, while the Mets are floundering. Step it up, Willie! Step it up, Mets! Stop reading your press clippings and play ball!!! Teams with .500 records don't make it to the playoffs! Oh, my bad, because the Cardinals did last year. What is your excuse?
Gary Thorne, when he started his career in the 1980's in the Mets radio booth was outstanding. By the time he returned to work Mets TV, his performance had declined. He still had the great voice, but he simply did not do his homework prior to Mets broadcasts. I felt, since I watched every game, I knew more about the Mets than Gary did. Then, the unprofessional way in which he was late for a Subway Series game at Shea on a Friday night because he chose to take a later flight from his home in Maine. From that point, I lost total respect for this man as a professional and a sports announcer.
Agreed, Gary Thorne did great work for the Mets---early in his career. But I have to say that once he started doing national hockey he seemed to come across as an uninformed wannabe on the Mets broadcasts. Real amateur hour.