Dodgers Have Eye on Smoltz

The Dodgers are among the teams pursuing free-agent pitcher John Smoltz, baseball sources said. Although Smoltz finished last season as the Braves’ closer, the Dodgers hope to sign the right-hander to bolster their rotation.

The Braves hope to re-sign Smoltz as their closer, but the New York Yankees, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks and the Dodgers are interested in him as a starter.

Smoltz, the 1996 National League Cy Young Award winner, is believed to be seeking a contract that would average as much as $12 million a season. The Braves have offered Smoltz, 34, a deal in the $8 million-a-season range, a salary more in line with those of premier closers.