Quick Hits

-John Smoltz signed on with the Cardinals to be their fifth starter. I like the move, as 1.) While St. Louis has an amazing 1-2 combo in Wainwright and Carpenter, their starting depth after that is very weak. 2.) When the playoffs roll around, he'll be moved to the bullpen and could be quite effective from there. I still feel like the Cardinals bullpen is a total house of cards, because Franklin is clearly playing way over his head. 3.) Smoltz isn't as bad as his ERA indicates. He still strikes out a lot of people and doesn't walk anyone. His peripherals are/were good, he just got a little unlucky before he had his legitimately awful start against the Yankees. I believe he still has gas in the tank. 4.) Smoltz is desperate for a job. It's a win-win, and a great fit.

-Stephen Strasburg signed with the Nationals for $15.6 million. A lot of people are balking at the number, but I think it’s great. At the end of the day, you have Strasburg and everyone else doesn’t. Some have said they shouldn’t have gone higher than $12 million, but are you really going to let a 21-year-old with his track record, with his polish and incredible stuff slip through your fingers over a few million? Hank Greenberg, when he was GM of the Indians back in the 60’s, had Luis Aparicio ready to sign—and then tried to chisel a few thousand dollars out of the shortstop and saw Aparicio go to the White Sox. Hey, how’d that one work out, Greeny? If you’re serious about winning you sign your #1 picks. I’m glad Washington got it done (even though, had Strasburg reentered the draft, Baltimore would have had a real shot at him), because it’s bad for baseball when you have lame duck franchises, teams with no fanbase, no money, and which seem to have no commitment to winning. I hope Strasburg helps turn the Nats around.