AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > February > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSpell relief “REMLINGER”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When the Braves signed aging lefty Mike Remlinger, I’ve got to admit I didn’t think he could do much to help their questionable bullpen.
But after watching him throw batting practice a couple of times down here at spring training, I’m thinking the old man — old being relative term, of course — has got enough left to help out. Provided he can stay healthy, Remlinger could help not just with experience and leadership in a young pen, but with his versatility.
He was a fastball/changeup guy in his previous stint with the Braves from 1999-2002, and that changeup made him more effective against righty hitters than lefties. But now, with his velocity down a bit after arm problems and surgery in recent years, Remlinger’s added a sharp breaking ball that buckled the knees of some good hitters Thursday, fooling Andruw Jones among others.
He could be a solid complement in a bullpen that has a lot of potential, but little in the way of proven veterans.
Chris Reitsma has done the most of the bunch and is the favorite for the closer role, but the Braves are going to let a few others compete for that job this spring: Oscar Villarreal, Blaine Boyer, Joey Devine and Anthony Lerew all will get some consideration, and if one steps ahead of the others this spring, he could leave Florida with the closer job.
I’d still bet on Reitsma hanging onto it, but the more conversations I have with team officials, the more it sounds like the Braves are serious about letting those other guys compete for the closer job.
Whatever happens, they all figure to compete for jobs in a bullpen that could also include other good young arms like Lance Cormier and will certainly include young lefty Macay McBride, whose future looks bright. Some believe McBride also has closer potential, but that’s probably down the line. For now, he looks like a solid lefty setup man. Lefty John Foster’s also back, which is good news if he pitches like he did early on last season, but bad if he pitches like he did later.
It’s tough to get a feel for where this bullpen’s headed. I really think it has the potential to be quite good or very bad, or anywhere between, depending upon the health of several guys including Boyer, who will probably throw off a mound next week for the first time since his shoulder inflammation knocked him out of the postseason.
The closer job obviously is the biggest question, but the Braves feel confident one or more of those guys will come to the fore and handle it. If not, they will try to make a move, but that wouldn’t come until midseason, I’d imagine, after they’ve given the guys they have time to prove themselves.
As for Remlinger, he’ll be 40 in March, and the Cubs and Red Sox gave up on him last year, he was so ineffective. But Remlinger said his arm felt rejuvenated after four months of rest, and that’s why he called the Braves to see if they were interested. They figured what the hell, it’s a low-risk proposition with potentially solid returns.
Remlinger was a Brave from 1999 through 2002, the year he posted a 1.99 ERA and .198 opponents’ average in 73 games for a historically dominant bullpen (Smoltz, Hammond, Holmes, Remlinger were the big guns, with help from Ligtenberg, young Spooneybarger and a few others).
Remlinger parlayed that into a three-year, $10.65 million deal with Chicago, where his strikeouts fell and ERA nearly doubled in 2003. He worked more than 70 games for five consecutive seasons before shoulder surgery in October 2003.
On another note, the weather’s been spectacular so far, but rain is headed in for the weekend. I think it’s been 80 or higher and sunny every day but one in the first 10 days down here. So perfect night and day; haven’t even needed to run the air conditioner or heater at the rented house, just windows open all the time.
Oh, and thought I’d let you know, Brian Jordan is driving the world’s largest pickup truck. It’s gotta be the largest. The thing is absurd. The cab literally sits higher than the cab of a semi, and you have to step up a retractable ladder to get in. He insists it got 10 miles a gallon on the drive down from Atlanta, adding “Better than my Hummer.”
For Jordan fans, he’s surprised Cox, I think, by how well he looks running and hitting. But Bobby said he probably won’t play him in the first few Grapefruit League games, because he wants to be careful with him coming off offseaon knee surgery. I think Jordan’s got a chance to make it as a backup outfielder, but I don’t know if it’s a good chance. There’s not room for him, Kelly Johnson and Matt Diaz all to make the team, and maybe for only one of them, especially if James Jurries makes it as a first baseman and backup corner outfielder.
But those are questions that won’t begin to be decided for at least a couple more weeks.
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By cayenne pepper and honey
February 23, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the great info DOB. You are very passionate about your work and it shows. Go Braves.
By Voice of Reason
February 23, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this
Thanks, DOB, for the updates. I look forward to my daily info “fix” about this time of the day.
By Kyle
February 23, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this
I heard on ESPN.com from Buster Olney that Matt Diaz was working on some catcher duties over the winter (he was a catcher in high school). Just thought that would be interesting since in the article it stated he could be a number 2 guy but I don’t know if he forgot about Todd Pratt or what? DOB what are your thoughts on that? Has he been doing any catching duties since spring training starting? Is this more of a emergency catcher like matt franco used to be? Thanks
By David O'Brien
February 23, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this
Kyle, yes and yes _ yes, Diaz has been working behind the plate this spring, and yes, it’d be strictly on an emergency-catcher basis, a No. 3 guy. Todd Pratt’s the backup.
Diaz hadn’t caught in several years before doing it in instructional league this past fall.
By Bryan
February 23, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this
Dave,
I got the new Flaming Lips (the whole CD) and its is pretty awesome.
I can’t believe you gave up on Mike “rim-shot” Remlinger. When I saw him as a free agent I thought for sure he was worth an invite to camp.
I got a news request- how bout some Bobby Dews dirt. This cat lays lower than anybody - where is the drama! Girls! Pills! Rock-n-Roll!
Thanks,
Bryan
By Carroll
February 23, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this
What is it with this infatuation with Chris Reeksma??!! What has he ever done to deserve a spot on this team, let alone be favored for the closer job?! He blew more friggin saves than Dan Kolb last year! That makes as much sense as making John Foster the closer. To me, any of these rookies with no closing experience would be better than Reeksma who does have experience, but it’s very bad.
By Miles
February 23, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the info DOB, great as always. Do you happen to know exactly how much the Braves have to spend at the trading deadline? And if the closer situation somehow sorts itself out during the first half of the season, will schuerholz still go ahead and use the money on another quality power bat for the lineup?
By jimmy smith. ugandan journalist
February 23, 2006 05:29 PM | Link to this
jimmy smith not supposed to be here today. flight delayed at hartsfield/jackson airport. jimmy smith lay in weeds until airplane ready to go. favorite term of jimmy smith now, “lay in weeds”. sound intelligent like journalist supposed be. jimmy smith once sleep with window open. wild animal crawl in. dob be careful. real journalists in short supply like closer. jimmy smith like closer be mean. remember crazy man used pitch for Braves walk off mound, slam ball in glove, go throw pitch. people afraid of him. he crazy. maybe let laroche be closer. he used to pitch before he become feared hitter. jimmy smith victim of identity theft on blog. not every jimmy smith post from jimmy smith. jimmy smith post easy identify - pithy commentary from award winning journalist. subscribe jimmy smith paper and not miss articles. learn much about baseball and music. follow golf games. jimmy smith nice to readers - not insult. jimmy smith want ride in big pickup truck. ride with jordan and dob. jimmy smith call shotgun.
By old timer
February 23, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this
The thing about Reitsma is that he has really good stuff and has mowed people down in stretches where he wasn’t overused. He throws hard and his pitches really move. So, yes, you’ve got to give him strong consideration in the current group.
By TJ
February 23, 2006 05:46 PM | Link to this
I think jimmy smith must be LaTwan Anthony’s African cousin.
By Carroll
February 23, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this
His pitches don’t move a lick! That fastball is laserbeam straight! And he wasn’t really overused, he just wasn’t in proper condition. And what makes us think this year will be any different. Bottom line, he can’t be relied upon. You can’t have that from your closer.
By Phillip
February 23, 2006 05:57 PM | Link to this
DOB, great info as usual. I never can get enough news about the Braves. How much different does Chipper actually look, since he lost some weight being sick? Is it that noticeable and does he think he can get back to where he was a few weeks ago? Keep up the good work, and just ignore all of the clowns that try to get a rise out of Braves fans. 99% probably don’t even go to Turner Field.
By old timer
February 23, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this
Could be an LSD flashback, but seems to me Reitsma’s ball really sinks. He didn’t appear to be out of shape to me. And I do think he was overused. Cox tends to go with the hot hand, overworking guys, and Reitsma has had some streaks where he has pitched pretty much every day, and not just an inning at a time. After a few days of that, he gets shelled. And they don’t have a proven guy in the pen right now.
By Jim from TN
February 23, 2006 06:17 PM | Link to this
DOB, Are you getting the feeling that all the young pitchers are relieved LEO is gone? That is what i’ve heard. Your Thoughts? Jim
By jimmy smith. ugandan journalist
February 23, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this
my, my, mr. jackass is very knowledgeable about my country as, I might add, he is knowledgeable about baseball, too. do not let the slings and arrows affect you sja. In response to your several questions of jimmy smith -we must not have a despot in charge of our country. for this reason jimmy smith favors the physician dr. besigye. jimmy smith cast an absentee ballot already for jimmy smith is a patriotic ugandan journalist. jimmy smith’s best friend, simba, play shortstop on team with jimmy smith and he likely cabinet minister if besigye win. if so, simba invite jimmy smith to big events and jimmy smith write about on dob baseball blog. simba toes large and gnarly make jimmy smith sick but simba can hit curve ball.
By John M. from Acworth
February 23, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this
The fact that the Braves are counting on anything from Remlinger shows just how scary the bullpen situation is. Reitsma couldn’t get the job done last year, hence the trade for Farnsworth. What will make this year any different?
By old timer
February 23, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this
I agree the bullpen is scary. I see one of the young guns being the closer someday. Maybe even next year. But as it stands right now, Reitsma has to be considered for the job. What can be different? He could turn a corner. We’ve seen a lot of players do that. He is only about 28 years old. I’m not saying he’s great. But he isn’t horrible, either. If he doesn’t improve, he can’t close. But I think he’s got a good arm and the potential to close.
By brian
February 23, 2006 08:14 PM | Link to this
DOB, I hope McBride and Remlinger are the two lefties in the pen. Foster has got to go. I think that the Braves bullpen will be top in the NL by season’s end. We have so many live arms.
By Eric Webb
February 23, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this
Hey Dave—Great job as always, some people dont appreciate what you do. I thik I speak for most when I say thanks.
Anyways, I dont know if you have answered this already, but how is Edgar Renteria looking? I have not read much about him.
Thanks
By Tomahawkin
February 23, 2006 08:52 PM | Link to this
1st off, Thanx 4 the 411 D.O.B. I bet you are loving it down there
Secondly, Carroll I love your insights about Reeksma
I think U and Me are the Only one’s who remember Him blowing Game 5 of the 2004 NLDS against houston, and the game winning Grand Slam he gave up to David Eckstein and the Cardinals.
I guess we are the only one’s questioning the organization’s babying approach on Reeksma, But I agree with you, hes garbage
In the 8th and 9 th innings…
Look at his yearly stats in Cincinnati before we acquired him, and U see why Cincy was smart to give up on him
Bring back the Bong!
Go Braves!
By old timer
February 23, 2006 09:26 PM | Link to this
Tomahawkin, I think I can remember back to 2004. I also recall a closer named Dennis Eckersley giving up a pinch-hit, game-winning World Series home run in 1988 to a one-legged outfielder. It happens, dude.
By Tomahawkin
February 23, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this
I know it happens but it catches Reeksma every other appearance
The whole Eck thing, Thats Different, You’re talking about a hall of Famer vs a jubroni
By jimmy smith. ugandan journalist
February 23, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this
mr. jackass, jimmy smith belong to no tribe, no journalistic network, no political faction. jimmy smith and best friend simba grow up on ugnadan sand lot playing much baseball. jimmy smith not big time journalist like dob. jimmy smith write for hometown paper - roving reporter. jimmy smith lover, not fighter. jimmy smith not secret agent man. jimmmy smith incredulous find somebody on dob blog who smart like you about uganda. what tribe you belong? toes good? hit curveball? still able get RR goat?
By jimmy smith. ugandan journalist
February 23, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this
jimmy smith post one more time to mr. southernjackass. not know when jimmy smith plane arrive and jimmy smith have to come out of weeds and fly home. unusual jimmy smith agree with jackass many times when dob say no one like sja. RR not know what he messing with if sja really karamojong. RR best lay low in weeds with chipper and not mess with sja. jimmy smith like sja goat joke. sja and jimmy smith soon be banned from dob blog. pedro martinez have toe issues wonder what dob say about?
By Tony C.
February 24, 2006 01:04 AM | Link to this
Ok here’s the deal on Reitsma:
Bobby overworked him. Go back and look at the box scores. For two seasons if there was a fire, ol’ Bobby called reitsma unless it was the 9th with a lead, then he went to Smoltz when he was in the pen. As far as magic Mike….I wonder how much ju-ju he has left? He better have a splitter forthcoming as well if his fastball is as lifeless as I saw it the past two seasons.
I like McBride, and the other young kids. I do think Devine should work in Richmond for AT LEAST the 1st half of the season. Lord Knows Bobby loves him, and if the kid gives up many more crooked number HRs he’ll be scarred for life. I’d rather have a highly effective lefty out of the pen than a shellshocked could-have-been.
By mark
February 24, 2006 01:26 AM | Link to this
Cool Beans , DOB. Dont we all wish we were in florida right now , lol. Keep up the blogs , I’m loving it.
By Zebbie
February 24, 2006 05:41 AM | Link to this
Nothing makes me want to throw a remote more then watching Smoltz pitch a awesome game just to see a pitcher come out and throw 3 pitches and blow it all. It seemed to make our starters want to pitch deeper into to many games last season, and its my opinion why our starters were too worn out to compete in post season. I think the Braves share that opinion, and is why the closer job is open to anyone.
On the plus side, the Braves do have some extra cash to buy off a good prooven closer deeper into the season, and the bullpen cant be any worse then last year. Kolb showed us all, that offseason money on closers is not a sure fire way to go. I am glad they didnt chase the big money closers this year.
With final year contracts on so many Braves this year including GM and Manager and a possible new owner, I hope they can get it right just one more time. Go Braves.
By Bryan
February 24, 2006 07:09 AM | Link to this
I bet the braves pick up Brad Lidge from the Astros in July/Aug.
By Carroll
February 24, 2006 08:06 AM | Link to this
Tomahawkin: you’re absolutely right about Reeksma in game 5 2004. We still had a chance in that game til he came in. And don’t forget that he also helped to blow game 1 in 2004, and games 1 and 3 in 2005 against Houston. Bottom line, every time he comes into a big game situation, he blows it. Some will say “but he pitched 2 scoreless innings in game 4 in 2005”. I say, so what? The game/series was already over at that point. And both teams were completely exhausted, and houston’s offense was already pathetic to begin with. Plus, Jim Brower pitched 3 scoreless innings in game 4….should he be our closer now? At best, Reeksma is decent but completely unreliable. ANd yet he’s the frontrunner for the closer job. Boys, I’m afraid it’s gonna be a long season…again.
By Carroll
February 24, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this
Honestly, I’d feel better about things if we were giving Kolb another shot at closer (and that ain’t saying much). At least there’s a chance that he just had an off year and can regain his 2004 form under the tutilege of McDowell. But with Reeksma, we all already know how it’s gonna end up. It’s just sad really.
By old timer
February 24, 2006 09:40 AM | Link to this
Carroll, I don’t know how you can state your point any stronger than saying you’d rather give Kolb a shot. I guess people in Houston are saying Lidge isn’t any good in the clutch because he blew some games in the World Series. On the other hand, there were guys on the White Sox being paid to put those runs up. Both sides can’t succeed. I certainly am not happy with the prospect of Reitsma being our front-runner, but if he does hold onto the closer’s job and has a good year, and the Braves win the World Series, I know you would be happy to have been wrong about him. We, most of us anyway, just want get back that good feeling of ‘95.
By Carroll
February 24, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this
old timer: I would love nothing more than to be wrong…so profoundly wrong that the Braves end up winning it all. But I won’t hold my breath. Fool me once……
Lidge really only blew the one game in the nlcs. That was certainly bad enough, and had trickle-dwon effects on the WS performance of the stros, but I don’t recall him blowing a save in the WS….he may have, but that series ultimately came down to lack of timely hitting for the Stros (sound familiar)? Besides, he doesn’t have a history of breaking down that you could set your watch to (like Reeksma).
By Dan
February 24, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this
Some people are gonna go crazy about this but I think Devine may have a shot at closing. He did give up some HUGE bombs last year but he pitched pretty well between the big mistakes and considering he was in college when the season started thats not bad
By dannycardwell
February 24, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this
give chuck james a shot at long reliever and let reitsma and lawrew platoon at closer until one rises to the top. devine needs a shot too. a lot better than last year when he was put in a better position to fail than succeed. the out field can be one of the best if js dont screw it up by trading langerhans. all we need is 3-4 of the young pitchers to stand up in the pen. we have a special crop of young guys and 6-8 more waiting their turn if they dont get traded for another bandaid in the bullpen. we dont need any trades at all. everything needed to go all the way is already in the organization. the future looks good.
By Tomahawkin
February 24, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this
Right on point Carroll, I know I’m living a fantasy right now, but If we got Lidge, We would be sick…. It would be like having Mark Wohlers again
But I agree give Chuck James a shot at it he can’t be no worse than Reeksma
Go Braves!
By old timer
February 24, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this
Carroll, We actually got to Lidge his first appearance in the ‘04 playoffs. But you’re right the guy is good. And you have been able to set your clock to Reitsma blow ups. It might be a long shot, but I’m just hoping…
By Carroll
February 24, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this
old timer: maybe Reeksma could just get us by until one of the rooks is ready. And I agree with Dan…I would have NO problem with Devine getting a shot. As I said earlier, with he or any of the rookies (or even Kolb) there’s at least a chance that they could get the job done. With Reeksma, we all already know that he’ll be decent at times and terrible at others. You CAN NOT have that from a closer and expect a championship.
By Carroll
February 24, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this
And let me be clear about my Kolb comments for Jimmy SMith. I do not want Kolb as our closer. Alls I’m saying is that I would rather give him another shot than Reeksma (that’s gonna happen either way, but that’s just how terribly I feel about Reeksma being the closer).
By TennesseePaul
February 24, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this
With Reitsma’s schedule, you can count on him to be good during late May through mid July. He’ll be adequate in April. I think by July though, the youngsters will have gotten a handle on it and should be good down the stretch. Reitsma is scary down the stretch, but Lerew, Devin, Boyer, McBride, James, or one of those guys will probably be spot on at that time. But who knows, this pen is only a “weak” link because it is unproven. It could turn out real strong. If Devine comes out of Spring sharp as a tack, then Reitsma can go back to set up. If Lerew and the rest of the gang turn out alright, Reitsma’s work load shouldn’t be too heavy, so he could be descent the whole year. The best bet is to have a healthy starting rotation. That alone should improve the bullpen this year. The less exposure the pen has, the better. That’s what makes Sosa “the five inning wonder” troubling. He has to be able to pitch more than 5 innings a start this year, if he ends up in the rotation.
By TennesseePaul
February 24, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this
I keep forgetting about Villareal(sp?). If he’s as healthy as they say, he can be real good.
By Newman in bham
February 24, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this
I’m pumped, Go Braves!! DOB what are you thoughts about McDowell so far?
By BB FAN
February 24, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
I actually think this bullpen good be OK. Villereal is supposedly throwing as well as he did a few years ago as a rookie. Reitsma has shown signs of greatness. Only for a month at a time, but if he can hold the closer role until July, one of the young guys like Lerew, Boyer or Devine could step in. Jenks did it for the White Sox last yea so it’s possible. And all 3 of those guys have a lot of talent. Cormier had an ERA under 3.00 last year before the AS game. He was horrible after, but he may have just tired. Young guys hit a wall sometimes as it is a long season.
All I know, is it will be great to have Braves baseball back.
By TalkinBaseball
February 24, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this
Dude, what IS the deal w/Jackass and the “Ugandan Journalist?” Longtime Braves fan, here, but what did we do to deserve these whackjobs in our blogs? It’s REFRESHING to see oldtimer, Carroll, Tomahawkin, Ron Roberts, Dan, Danny Cardwell, etc. getting on here and talking … BASEBALL on the blogs lately. This website needs to do a better job policing it’s boards so that these goofy and sometimes slanderous whack-o’s off of here.
Good points from all (about BASEBALL), but I don’t have such a negative view about Reitsma. The folks in the Braves’ braintrust who are largely responsible for the record string of postseason appearances and division titles seem to feel he’s their guy until otherwise proven, so forgive me if calling him “Reeksma” doesn’t sway me to believe otherwise.
He was way over-used the past two seasons. And I’m not gonna say I believe he’s the full-season answer at closer, but looking at what we currently have in the ‘pen, he is the veteran guy w/experience and pitches to get the job done until a better option comes along.
By Kentavo
February 24, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this
Reeksma gets the thumbs down from this blogger. He does not have the testicular fortitude for the job. We should hope for Dodgers tankning by mid-season so they unload a rehabbed Gagne to us.
By TennesseePaul
February 24, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this
Gange is in the last year of a 10 million a year contract. And he’s a Boras client. It would cost a lot to trade for him and we wouldn’t get to keep him for future years without throwing away the entire future for him. I’d love to see a quality reliable man at the back of the pen, but Gange’s price tag is going to be steep.
By Jman
February 24, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this
Forget Gagne. Forget anybody! One of these young guys are going to step up and save 40 games this year! Mark my words!!! Lerew, Devine, or Villarreal. My money is on Lerew! Especially if he really has the devastating stuff that the article said he had.
By BB FAN
February 24, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this
TalkinBaseball,
SuthernJackassR…and jimmywhatever and upa whatever are probably the same blogger talking to himself because none of us really pay any attention to him/them anymore.
Anyway, I will agree that Reitsma has been overused the last 2 years. But it does seem like he implodes halfway through every year. Hopefully he can match his July 05 production for 3 months then let one of the young guys take over after they have gained some valuable MLB experience.
By old timer
February 24, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this
Southern Jackass, the tired 14-divisions-1-world-championship thing the other day threw me off. I thought you didn’t have anything fresh. I was wrong. I apologize.
By LeTwan Anthony
February 24, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this
It is good to see LeTwan’s buddy, BBFan blogging today. LeTwan says, hi. There are many third person bloggers now and LeTwan is flattered.
Baseball writers in other cities are mentioning Sosa as the closa.
TennesseePaul’s observation that Sosa doesn’t pitch deep into a game might lend credence to putting him in the pen and letting one of the young arms start. Looks like the Braves have many options at closer. Bobby just likes the old guys. LeTwan remembers Reardon.
By Booger
February 24, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this
The thing about all these closer candidates? Bobby gets to pick.
Jackass brought up panga in this blog and no one bit. What famous closer is known for wielding a panga?
Booger
By Tomahawkin
February 24, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this
I know It won’t happen, but If Reeksma does struggle early this year, Anyone open to the Idea of Jorge Sosa as Closer, and putting Davies in the fifth spot, or when Hampton comes back putting Sosa In the Closers role, I like Jorge’s demeanor on the Mound
I’d alos like to hear from D.O.B. on his thoughts on Roger McDowell
I give a shout out to TalkinBaseball
Furthermore Go Braves!
By TennesseePaul
February 24, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this
I didn’t think Hampton was coming back this season? Sosa makes some sense in the Closer role, but from what JS says or implies, that is not an option. It seems strange. Maybe they hope Sosa can hold his own this year and make for good trade bait. If Sosa doesn’t pan out, he could be the one replaced in the rotation by Davies or James. Davies can’t be in the pen though. He was terrible in relief. Sosa was pretty weak in relief in Tampa Bay as well. Plus he keeps a pretty flat K/BB ratio. They also have the Thompson situation. I believe this is his last year under this contract with no options for the future. I think Sosa has a little more time before he is a free agent, which would mean he’ll be cheaper than Thompson. So they would be able to keep Thompson the whole season and get a draft pick from the Yankees when they offer him 100 million over 10 years next offseason, or trade him midseason for an impact player. That would allow them to keep Sosa for a while as well. Then slide Hampton back into the rotation next year in place of Thompson. It gets hairy… I wanna see these young guys start, but with Sosa, Thompson and Ramirez the rotation appears crowded for a few years.
By pupa
February 24, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this
pupa says go braves. go all the way to world series.
By Goosee
February 24, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this
goosee gossage
By NYY26ATL1
February 24, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
Well I see AJC has deleted SJA comments and bannished him from blogs….so much for freedom of speech in America…
By Goosee
February 24, 2006 03:47 PM | Link to this
SJA was a filty mouth like you Mr.NYY26 that is the reason he is gone. If you write filty things like you use to, you won’t be around too long. I hope you clean up your LANGUAGE and be a gentelmen NewYorker. Go BRAVES
By NYY26ATL1
February 24, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this
so much for southern hospitality…
By BB FAN
February 24, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this
Hampton is supposed to miss all of this season. Sosa has too many control issues to be a closer. Everybody always says that he was great at getting out of jams last year, but he put himself in those jams. I would not want him coming into the 9th and putting 2 men on before getting an out. However, if McDowell can help him with that, he would be a good canidate because he has a great arm.
I actually think McDowell was the perfect pitching coach to hire. The guy was a starter, middle reliever and closer at different points in his career. He should do great things for the bullpen. The one knock on Mazonne was he did not do much for the bullpen. Otherwise, he was a great pitching coach.
By Goosee
February 24, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this
I am from NY City by the way Mr.NYY26 I like the southern people just like I like the New Yorkers, so long as they are quality decent people. There is southern hospitality for people who respects the great south. Go Braves.
By choppinmama
February 24, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this
DOB: Heard Glavine on the Jim Rome show today and reading between the lines, it sure sounds like he’s ready to head back to ATL in ‘07 to get #300. Heard anything from the club about a 1-year contract for him when his time in purgatory is up after this year?
By old timer
February 24, 2006 09:32 PM | Link to this
Sosa is an interesting piece of the pitching puzzle. Don’t think he should close because he didn’t pitch well in relief. He does have a great arm, as BB Fan points out, and he just breezes when he throws strikes. He’s young, or at least hasn’t pitched a whole lot as a starter, so he figures to improve. He might just really blossom this year.
By BravesFan4Ever
February 25, 2006 12:09 AM | Link to this
I think the braves will be just fine this year too, and don’t worry about the closer spot, I am sure that Bobby will fine someone that will do the job for us again this year
GO BRAVES