AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2005 > August > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSome tough calls on Braves’ pitching staff
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Having a two-week homestand and 22 of 28 games at Turner Field is perfect for the Braves. Having three off days during the stretch really isn’t.
With the return of John Thomson and Mike Hampton, manager Bobby Cox has a dilemma. He has too many starters and not enough games.
Thomson will pitch Saturday and Hampton on Sunday. Kyle Davies is headed back to the minors and Horacio Ramirez to the bullpen.
Jorge Sosa opened the weekend series against Arizona, but may not start again for at least another week.
Cox says that Thomson and Hampton are ready and he has to see what they can do. But will they really be better than Ramirez, Davies or Sosa?
Ramirez doesn’t appear ready to immediately contribute to the bullpen, which could use help. Sosa has experience as a reliever, but greatly prefers to start and has done much better in the rotation.
How do you think the pitching staff should break down?
If Thomson is ready and Hampton can stay healthy, I guess I’d prefer this 12-man breakdown:
Starters — John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, Hampton, Thomson and Ramirez.
Bullpen — Sosa, John Foster, Kyle Farnsworth, Jim Brower, Dan Kolb, Blaine Boyer and Chris Reitsma.
Of course, it would be nice if GM John Schuerholz could pull off a bullpen upgrade before Sept. 1.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Braves fan
August 16, 2005 09:47 AM | Link to this
Unfortunately I don’t think either Ramirez or Sosa will be happy coming out of the pen. I think that evidence of that was the horrible performance of Horacio in relief of Hampton in the laugher game against the D-backs. He gave up 4 homeruns and appeared to just be tossing it up there. That’s not acceptable. He needs to get his head straight and accept the idea that he’s in the pen now. Of all the guys who’ve started this season, he’s got the largest ERA, so why wouldn’t he be the guy sent out there? Sosa has experience as a reliever, but he’s been way more effective than Horacio.
By AL
August 16, 2005 09:58 AM | Link to this
Testing. Testing. Is this thing on?
By AZBravoFan
August 16, 2005 01:07 PM | Link to this
I think Horacio and Sosa need to get into the mindset that they are going to be the guys who either come in in the 4th inning if one of the starters doesn’t have it, or come in in the 10th of a tie game and will be expected to throw up 3 or 4 zeros while the offense tries to scratch out a run. A pretty important role if you look at last year’s ALCS. I think Sosa can do it but I worry about Horacio and the long ball. (Visions of Charlie Liebrandt and Kirby Puckett)
By Del Young
August 16, 2005 01:18 PM | Link to this
To BB let me offer a small critique of your pitching lineup.
I would substitute Sosa for Ramirez based upon this seasons performance.
The bullpen is still a shaky proposition. The most tradeable starters we have are Estrada and Rameriz, I would use them to buy as much talent as we can for the bullpen/closer roles.
By Jim McCants
August 16, 2005 04:12 PM | Link to this
With the attitude that I see from Rameriz - TRADE him! This is a TEAM - NOT a bunch of individuals who who have the attitude of “What’s in it for me?” “If I can’t be a started, then I’ll take my ball and go home!” Then send him elsewhere. Just my 2 cents worth - and just about anyone can read body english! Just watch Rameriz when he is asked to come in to relieve.
By Fabrizio Di Muro
August 16, 2005 04:50 PM | Link to this
If we get to the playoffs, I hope that Bobby uses a four-man starting rotation - Smoltz, Hudson, Thomson, and Hampton. Thus, Sosa and Ramirez will have to come out of the pen. It is good that Ramirez is in their now as he will have time to adjust to his new role. Although he looked bad on Sunday, it was just his first outing. I’d be worried if he keeps this up. Let’s see how it goes.
By Doyle Owens
August 16, 2005 05:39 PM | Link to this
What a great problem Bobby Cox has. Many managers would give their eye teeth for these extra guys in the bull pen.And most players would give their eye teeth to be able to be in that bull pen…
By David Whitaker
August 16, 2005 05:45 PM | Link to this
The Bullpen upgrade would be “TRADE DAN KOLB”, BRING UP THE #1 DRAFT PICK THIS YEAR
By David Whitaker/ BRAVES FAN
August 16, 2005 05:55 PM | Link to this
* TRADE DAN KOLB* **BRING UP #1 DRAFT PICK FROM THIS YEAES DRAFT, SEE IF HE CAN START CLOSING IN THE MAJORS. THAT IS WHY HE WAS DRAFTED
By KIKO
August 16, 2005 07:54 PM | Link to this
Trade Dan Kolb or Ramirez for a closer. Ramirez has the highest ERA among the starters and Kolb is a disaster in relief.
By rey
August 16, 2005 08:21 PM | Link to this
bullpen bullpen bullpen is the key and the braves have none. post season here we go again. disaster:::::::::::
By HobNailBoot
August 16, 2005 11:45 PM | Link to this
I think Reitsma may be about ready to lose his committee chairmanship.
By Bill Clifton
August 17, 2005 06:29 AM | Link to this
We need to think about the future and not just this fall when we talk about trading Kolb and Ramarez. We have several good starters so put Hampton on waivers and see if he will be picked up by NYY or Boston. His 15Mil salary kicks in next year and that will cause us to loose some good young talent when we don’t have money to spread around.
By SLCM
August 17, 2005 09:42 AM | Link to this
It’s time for Atlanta fans to get used to a new closer - Kyle Farnsworth. Reitsma is clearly overmatched in the role and should be back in the 8th inning. Reitsma may single handedly cost Smoltz a chance at the Cy Young as he as blown saves in what should have been four more Smoltz victories this year. With Reitsma in the 8th, then you can place Kolb back in the 7th which is where he belongs, as he can’t handle any pressure whatsoever. Farnsworth, with his 100 mph heater, has been pegged as a lights out closer of the future for the past three years. However, the Cubs were too inept to develop him, and the Tigers weren’t going to pay him next year. He was perfect in his save opportunites in Detroit before the trade. He has a excellent K/innings pitched ratio, ERA & WHIP. Atlanta fans should demand the change, as you won’t be disappointed.
By BB FAN
August 17, 2005 09:55 AM | Link to this
SLCM, Smoltz probably would have 17 wins this year if not for the bullpen. Kolb blew 2 for him in April too. Smoltz would have had a great chance to win the CY young too.
By Richard Tomei
August 18, 2005 06:06 PM | Link to this
Smoltz should go back to the bull pen and close,If he is a team player and not stuck on himself. We have enough startersto pitch us to the W.S.
By ATLGyrl
August 23, 2005 12:34 AM | Link to this
Trade Dan Kolb? Who would be crazy enough to want him…If the Braves could pull that off that would be the move of the year!
Aside from that I’m not comfortable with Hampton or Thomson on the mound. Sosa has gotten it done and has earned a spot in the rotation…He shut down the leagues best team only to get pulled and let Reitsma blow the save…Does anyone else not see that this guy has what it takes to be a starter? His stats speak for themselves.