Doesn't sit right.

In a story on MLB.com, Alden Gonzalez reports today that the Boston Red Sox may have some real decisions to make regarding the growing size of their pitching staff come mid-season, which could create a very troublesome scenario involving newly acquired ace John Smoltz.

Smoltz' athleticism, competitive drive and dogged determination likely put him in the position to be ready to pitch at full capacity when the All-Star break hits. He's always been a good pitcher in the regular season, and he's arguably the greatest post-season pitcher of all-time. It's why Theo Epstein put his faith in Atlanta's former horse and pinched a guaranteed $5.5 million out of his bottomless pockets for Smoltz, whether he throws a pitch or not. Boston is well-aware that, when it counts, there isn't a more trusted pitcher, young or old, than old number 29. And he is old—in baseball terms. But there's a short list of pitchers you'd want with the ball in October, and there his name is engraved. The legend alone is worth the money.

Having a quality pedigree as a professional athlete extends your career by seasons and lands you on better teams, teams who make lofty trades for one reason: to win. In light of the absence of a salary cap in Major League Baseball, there remain few teams with the resources and willingness to win at all costs. The Boston Red Sox is one. At the same time, we're all too familiar with their foil, their nemesis.

Call it a hunch. Call it a reason for indigestion worthy of medical care. Call it what it would be: typical and disgusting. But in the heat of a pennant race, an eastern division frenzy fueled by the competitive juices that surge through John Smoltz' veins and flow like the ink into the checkbooks of the baseball elite, it would not surprise me to hear the news of a last-minute addition to an already stacked roster wherein the New York Yankees acquire John Smoltz going into the 2009 post-season, likely the last shot our long-time ace-in-the-hole would have at winning the second championship ring he undoubtedly desires. Should Boston fade down the stretch, I wouldn't deny any possibility. I wouldn't blame Johnny for going either, but I'd likely throw up in my mouth a little.