Source: Smoltz agrees to deal with Boston

ATLANTA -- After more than two decades with the Atlanta Braves, John Smoltz is ready to finish his stellar career wearing a different uniform.

In a stunning end to one of Major League Baseball's longest runs, Smoltz reached a preliminary agreement on Thursday on a $5.5 million, one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox after failing to work out a deal to return for his 22nd season with the Braves.

A person familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Red Sox had yet to make an official announcement, said Smoltz can earn an additional $5 million in bonuses, some based on days on the active roster.

The deal is subject to a physical, which is scheduled for Monday.

Smoltz issued a statement through his agent and said he had little choice except to talk with other teams after hearing what the Braves planned to offer.

"I was going to withhold comment until the announcement of my signing with a new team, but I now feel the need to clear up any misconceptions and inaccuracies about the contract negotiations between myself and the Atlanta Braves," he said. "There were large discrepancies between the offer from the Braves and offers from other teams."

The Red Sox's deal with Smoltz is the biggest offseason splash yet for a team that lost to Tampa Bay in the American League Championship Series and is looking to keep pace with the rival New York Yankees, who've doled out $423.5 million in contracts to three players after missing the playoffs last year.

Smoltz, the only pitcher in MLB history with 200 wins and 150 saves, had pitched for the Braves since 1988. The 41-year-old is coming off major shoulder surgery that sidelined him for most of last season, but feels healthy enough to pitch at least one more year.

If able to come back, he'll likely join a rotation that already includes Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-3), Jon Lester (16-6), Josh Beckett (12-10) and another newcomer, two-time All-Star Brad Penny. Smoltz prefers to finish his career as a starter.

Smoltz's decision is a startling development given repeated statements that he wanted to spend his entire big-league tenure in Atlanta. He was an unknown minor leaguer when acquired from Detroit in 1987, but went on to become a cornerstone of Braves teams that won a record 14 straight division titles from 1991-2005, including a World Series title in 1995.

"I have always loved the city of Atlanta, and it will always be my home," Smoltz said in his statement. "I will cherish my 21 years with (manager) Bobby Cox and all my Braves' teammates. I continue to wish the Atlanta Braves nothing but success in the future."

Braves general manager Frank Wren declined comment when reached by e-mail.

Smoltz, pitcher of the year in 1996, has a record of 210-147 with 154 saves and a 3.26 ERA, while also becoming the winningest pitcher in MLB postseason history at 15-4.

In addition, he became just the 16th MLB pitcher to reach 3,000 strikeouts last April in one of his final appearances with the Braves.