"John Smoltz, who's more of a project these days than a Hall of Famer, is one of Dave Duncan's biggest challenges.

Smoltz is 42 and last was seen surrendering eight runs in 31/3 innings at Yankee Stadium, shortly before the Red Sox cut him loose. They figured he was nothing better than his 2-5 record and 8.33 ERA indicated.

Conversely, Duncan thinks Smoltz can resurrect his career in St. Louis, and that's all that needed to be known. Tony La Russa's trusted lieutenant looked at video of Smoltz and chatted with him; now he'll work with him.

Duncan oversaw the rebirth of many careers, dating to Dennis Eckersley and Dave Stewart in Oakland, but most of his cases involved pitchers in their primes. Smoltz, according to the Red Sox, is washed up."