Yankees History: John Smoltz reveals moment that could have changed everything

Over the years, John Smoltz has become a disliked figure among New York Yankees fans. His work as a broadcaster makes it painfully obvious that he still holds resentment for the team that derailed the Atlanta Braves' potential dynasty in the late 1990s.

And to think that all could've changed had George Steinbrenner gotten his way after that devastating World Series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Smoltz, now a Hall of Famer, nearly signed with the Yankees in the 2001-02 offseason, he's revealed. Appearing on The Show podcast, Smoltz said that he told his agent that winter to call the Yankees and let them know of his commitment to their offer. But Smoltz's agent circled back to the Braves before doing so, and Atlanta ultimately sealed the deal.

At the time, New York was interested in signing Smoltz as a starting pitcher, a deviation from his role at the time as Atlanta's closer.

Smoltz preferred the idea of returning to a starting pitching role. Atlanta had made him a closer for the 2001 season, but he'd been a starter his entire career up until that point.

John Smoltz almost signed with the Yankees over 20 years ago

Smoltz said that the Yankees offered him a four-year, $52 million deal to come and be in their starting rotation. The Braves, meanwhile, were offering Smoltz a three-year, $21 million contract to return to Atlanta as the club's closer. You can imagine why Smoltz was dead-set on heading to the Bronx.

But when the Braves increased their offer to $30 million for three years, Smoltz's opinion shifted. Throughout his career, he had always wanted to stay in Atlanta (and play for one franchise), and he'd even taken discount deals in the past based on that preference. So even though that $30 million was still notably short of the Yankees' offer, it was good enough for the right-hander.

Another Yankees connection here is that Atlanta's $30 million re-offer came as a result of Smoltz pointing at Mariano Rivera's contract and saying that he wanted to be paid the same amount. Rivera had three years and roughly $30 million left on his deal with the Yankees at the time (he also as some interesting "what if" history with the Yankees).

Smoltz remained the Braves' closer for the next three seasons. He stayed with Atlanta through the 2008 season and even returned to a starting role in 2005 along the way.

How did the Yankees pivot once the Smoltz deal fell through in that '01-02 offseason? They went out and signed David Wells for his second stint in pinstripes.

It was the beginning of a tough stretch for the Yankees, at least regarding World Series contention. They reached another World Series in 2003 but lost to the Florida Marlins. Then came the historic ALCS loss in 2004 to the Boston Red Sox, who went on to win it all.

From 2005-2007, the Yankees were bounced from the ALDS in three consecutive seasons by the Angels, Tigers, and Indians, respectively. They suffered a rare missed postseason in 2008 (only one of five so far for the Yanks in the 21st century), but then bounced back in 2009 to win the World Series.

Would Smoltz have made a difference for the Yankees during their World Series drought of the 2000s? He certainly would not have hurt, considering he was in top form throughout most of the decade, making four All-Star teams to go along with three seasons of top-10 NL Cy Young vote finishes and three seasons of top-20 NL MVP vote finishes.

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