Sox To Sign John Smoltz

Future Hall of Famer John Smoltz will notify the Atlanta Braves Thursday morning that he will be signing with the Boston Red Sox.

The deal is for a base salary of $5.5 million with another $5 million in easily atainable incentives.

Smoltz isnt expected to be ready to pitch until late May and adds to the Red Sox depth in the rotation that now includes Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Brad Penny, Tim Wakefield along with young pitchers Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden. The Red Sox also have started Justin Masteron slotted for the bullpen in 2009.

The signing of Smoltz could lead to a deal with Texas for a catcher, the deal would likely be centered around Buchholz and could lead to the end of an era in Boston with Jason Varitek not returning.

Boston has already signed Josh Bard and he could be the veteran prescence on the team sharing time with a young catcher, likely Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Boston is also reportedly preparing to introduce Rocco Baldelli as a member of the Boston Red Sox Thursday night at Boston Baseball Writers Dinner.