Spector: John Smoltz could follow Roger Clemens’ path - as a midseason hire

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The righthander’s agent, Keith Grunewald, told the Daily News on Friday that “John’s made it clear he’d love to finish his career in Atlanta, but that depends on what (Braves GM Frank Wren) and the guys want to do.”

That could depend on the Braves’ performance. Wren said on Thursday that Atlanta, coming off its first 90-loss season since 1990, when Smoltz was a budding star, will not trade its top prospects - seeming to quash rumors of a deal for Jake Peavy. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on its Web site Friday that the Braves are still pursuing the Padres ace with lower-tier prospects, but Peavy or not, Smoltz might not fit into their plans. In that case, he could then wait to find a team that needs him early next season.

“That’s not a bad approcach to say who is winning and who can he help?” Grunewald said. “There will be injuries and poor performance around the league, so that will be part of it. … He won’t be ready for the beginning of the season, but we’re thinking May or June and he could make an impact like Roger Clemens a couple of years ago to help make a run at a playoff spot.”