AP source: Smoltz agrees to deal with Boston

After three years finishing games for the Braves, Smoltz moved back to the rotation in 2005 and didn't miss a beat, going 14-7 with a 3.06 ERA. He went 47-26 in his second run as a starter, but shoulder pain cut short the 2008 season after only six appearances.

Smoltz tried to pitch one game as a reliever, then underwent surgery to fix what he said were "five or six problems," including his labrum, AC joint and biceps.

While acknowledging that similar operations have end the careers of many others, Smoltz felt encouraged enough about his rehabilitation to begin making plans for the new season. The Braves, however, were reluctant to make a deal with the aging pitcher, especially coming off a dismal season in which they missed the playoffs for the third year in a row.

"I've been written off before and I'm sure this is finally the time when everyone says, 'Finally! This is the end,"' Smoltz said late last season. "But I certainly don't think that."

His departure figures to create a major public-relations problem for a franchise that has fallen on hard times since the longest stretch of postseason appearances in baseball history. Smoltz has a record of 210-147 with 154 saves and a 3.26 ERA, while also becoming the winningest pitcher in postseason history at 15-4.

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

Atlanta's only major acquisition of the offseason has been pitcher Javier Vazquez, obtained in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. Wren failed to work out a deal for San Diego ace Jake Peavy and another top pitcher, free agent A.J. Burnett, rebuffed an offer from the Braves to sign with the Yankees.

With Smoltz having departed, the only pitching holdover from the Braves' glory years is 42-year-old Tom Glavine. But he, too, is trying to come back from surgery and it's not known if he'll be healthy enough to pitch in 2009. The left-hander has said he will retire if he doesn't play for Atlanta.

In Thursday's other move, the Red Sox added Baldelli, who spent the majority of last season on the disabled list for the AL champion Rays. The 27-year-old batted .263 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 28 games.

He can earn $1.75 million in bonuses based on time on the active 25-man roster and $5.25 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances. He would earn the full amounts with 165 days and 600 plate appearances.