Braves Keep Smoltz as Their Closer

John Smoltz, who thrived with Atlanta after being moved to the bullpen, agreed to a three-year contract with the Braves on Sunday.

The free-agent pitcher was courted by several teams to resume his former role as a starter. He decided to stay with the Braves, who want him to remain a closer after he saved 10 games in 11 chances last season.

Smoltz has spent his entire 14-year career with the Braves. He won the Cy Young Award in 1996.

The three-year contract includes a team option for a fourth year, the Braves said. WXIA-TV in Atlanta reported that Smoltz would receive $10 million a year for three seasons, with a $12-million option.

“We saw last year how dominant he could be in that role as closer, how well it sets up our whole pitching staff,” General Manager John Schuerholz said. “He made our entire pitching staff far more effective than it’s ever been, from the starters through the relievers.”

The 34-year-old Smoltz missed the 2000 season after elbow surgery and tried to come back as a starter. When his recovery didn’t go well, he moved to the bullpen in late July as a last resort.

Smoltz was a dominating closer, helping the Braves win their ninth consecutive division title. He saved two more games in the division playoffs against Houston before the Braves were beaten by Arizona in the NL championship series.

“This is a real important piece for a club that focuses on pitching as its primary asset,” Schuerholz said. “To have a closer of his caliber available for three years is very, very comforting.”

The team and Smoltz’s representatives met Friday and Saturday before agreeing to a deal Sunday afternoon by telephone.

Smoltz felt his elbow was strong enough to return to starting. The Braves never gave him that option.

“We talked entirely and exclusively about John being our closer,” Schuerholz said. “We think he could be a dominant pitcher in that role for a long, long time.”