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Smoltz refuses move to minors; two options left

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Ken Rosenthal

Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since August 2005. He appears weekly on MLB on FOX. Follow him on Twitter.

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Updated Aug 12, 2009 12:27 PM ET
     
 
John Smoltz's brief career with the Red Sox is over. Smoltz has refused the option of an assignment to the minor leagues, leaving the Red Sox with the option of either trading him or releasing him.
A trade is possible because Smoltz has cleared waivers, and the Dodgers are among the teams showing interest. But any deal would require a significant financial component due to the incentives in Smoltz's contract. Smoltz, 42, receives about $35,000 for each day he is on the active roster and other appearance-based bonuses. He also receives a $500,000 bonus if he is on the active roster and not the disabled list on the last day of the season and a $500,000 bonus if he is traded. If Boston releases Smoltz, the Red Sox will be obligated to pay the remainder of his one-year, $5.5 million contract he signed in the offseason. If Smoltz signs with another team, Boston would receive an off-set of the pro-rated minimum salary. Under that scenario, Smoltz's new team would not have to pay him any bonus money, as the bonuses are negated once a player is released. Boston designated Smoltz for assignment on Friday after the righty gave up eight runs in 3 1/3 innings in last Thursday's loss to the Yankees. In eight starts this year, Smoltz is 2-5 with an 8.33 ERA. "Pretty humbled right now, the way things have gone," Smoltz said Thursday night, after the Yankees chased him in the fourth inning of a 13-6 romp. "Time may not be on my side if this continues."
Tagged: Red Sox

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