Smoltz opens possibility of accepting trade

ATLANTA - Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz, the only player to have been on the team through its streak of 14 division titles, says he now would be willing to consider a trade to a contending team - such as his hometown Detroit Tigers.

Smoltz, the all-time postseason wins leader with a 15-4 record, likely would be an attractive trade option for a contending team. Braves general manager John Schuerholz has said he's not trying to trade veteran players, but the comments from Smoltz likely will spark trade talk.

Smoltz returned to Atlanta's starting rotation last season after three-plus season as the Braves' closer. In that role, he saved 154 games and joined Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley as the only other pitcher in baseball history with at least 150 wins and 150 saves.

Last season, he led the team with 33 starts, almost 230 innings and three complete games. He finished with a 14-7 record with a 3.06 E-R-A and earned his seventh trip to the All-Star Game. So far this season, the right-hander is 4-5 with an ERA of 3.78.

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