AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 18
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Meet the new ‘pen. Not same as the old ‘pen.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
From eyesore to showpiece. From glaring weakness to formidable strength. From “pass the Mylanta” to “turn out the lights.”
That’s what the Braves have done with their bullpen this winter. They’ve transformed a rag-tag unit that sucked life out of last season’s team with its repeated meltdowns into a bullpen that, at least on paper, looks as good as any in the National League.
It’s not a stretch to say it also looks as potentially overpowering as any in Atlanta Braves history, after the Wednesday trade that brought hard-throwing lefty Mike Gonzalez from Pittsburgh in exchange for Adam LaRoche.
Judging from the first 500 or so responses on a blog the AJC posted for fan comments on the trade, reaction seemed fairly split down the middle, with opinions ranging from the far reaches of both extremes _ “Unbelievably bad trade,” one said; “We fleeced the Pirates,” said another.
The fact is, it’s too early to judge this trade. Like most trades, it’ll take time to see whether LaRoche builds on his breakout .285-32-90 season and becomes a consistent 35-40 homer guy, a streaky .270 hitter who strikes out too much in the clutch, or something in-between. Whether Gonzalez establishes himself as a consistent dominant setup man and heir-apparent closer, or if last year’s elbow problems were an alarming harbinger, or something in-between.
I do know the Braves are going to miss his excellent glovework, and that the traditionally strong Braves infield defense could take a big step back in 2007.
Think about it _ the right side of the infield might feature second baseman Kelly Johnson, who’s never played that position at any level, and Thorman, who’s a bigger target than LaRoche, but doesn’t scoop balls as smoothly or have a 90-mph fastball to start double plays better than most any other first baseman. The “hot corner” has Chipper trying to stay healthy.
I didn’t think the Braves should do the LaRoche trade unless they got two immediate-impact guys from the Pirates, not just Gonzalez but also either center fielder Chris Duffy or one of their top young starting pitchers.
But while they didn’t get one of those guys who could help this year’s team, the Braves did get a top prospect, shortstop Brent Lillibridge, 23, a five-tool player the Braves think could be playing shortstop or second base and batting leadoff for them in a couple of years.
Lillibridge, a former University of Washington star (that’s why he’s older than most low-minors prospects) had a breakout year of his own, batting .305 with eight triples, 13 home runs, 71 RBIs and 53 stolen bases in 65 attempts while splitting the 2006 season between two Class-A Pirates minor league affiliates.
I talked to a scout who said his defensive skills are even better than his offense, that he has a plus-arm, great range and quickness, and plays hard. We’ll see, but sounds like this guy could compete for a job as soon as a year from now, depending how he does this season in Double-A.
But getting back to the bullpen….
No National League team blew as many saves as the Braves (29) last season, and the only NL bullpen with a higher total of hits and walks allowed than Atlanta (763) was Chicago (785).
Considering the fact that Cubs relievers had a 4.04 ERA and an impressive ratio of 553 strikeouts to 255 walks, while the Braves had a 4.39 ERA with 383 strikeouts and 248 walks, the Atlanta ‘pen was statistically worse than the one on Chicago’s North Side.
In fact, by most measures Atlanta’s bullpen was among the worst two or three relief corps in the National League, ranking right down there with the tiny-payrolled Marlins (16-28 record and 4.67 ERA by relievers) and Brewers (league-high 5.00 ERA and 29 losses by relievers).
Schuerholz, at some point, decided there was no way, no how, he was going to allow a repeat in 2007. If the Braves were to lose the division again, it wouldn’t be because of blown leads.
When some of you saw that the LaRoche/Gonzalez deal was done Wednesday (actually it won’t be finalized until they pass physicals, with no announcement expected until Friday or even Saturday), you immediately speculated it must be part of some bigger plan.
Some of you figured _ or read the speculation on other websites _ that the Braves got Gonzalez only so they could “flip” him to the Yankees or Devil Rays (we love to obsess over Rocco and Crawford here … Hey, I’m guilty for fueling much of the Baldelli talk a while back).
While I’m not entirely ruling out the possibility, I was assured today by a Braves person I trust that they got Gonzalez to keep him in their bullpen, to make their bullpen a monster that will help reduce most games to 6-7 innings next season. Not to flip him to another team.
The dude is flat-out dominant. Converted 24-of-24 saves last year, totaled 64 strikeouts (with
31 walks) in 54 innings, and allowed only 42 hits and one homer. Opponents hit .213 with a .325 OBP and miniscule .259 slugging percentage against him, including .163/.265/.256 by lefty batters.
In 25 games after June 25, Gonzalez had a 1.07 ERA and .143 opponents’ average in 25 games, with 12 hits, 14 walks and 35 strikeouts in 25-1/3 innings.
They worked him hard in that stretch and he developed tendinitis in his elbow, but a postseason MRI and another exam since then have showed no structural damage and he says he’s been throwing without any pain. The Braves are surely looking at it closely today during his physical, just to make sure.
His numbers really are staggering. Going back to April 16, 2005, Gonzalez has a 2.18 ERA, 2.02 ERA and 27-for-27 saves in his past 99 appearances. And in his past 60, he’s got a 1.91 ERA with 73 strikeouts and one homer allowed in 61-1/3 innings.
Instead of pushing guys like Smoltz, Hudson and Davies to go an extra inning or two some nights for fear of a bullpen meltdown, the Braves and Bobby Cox should be able to preserve the starters now. No need to be heroes in June by pitching a complete game when you’ve already thrown 110 pitches after 7 or 8 innings and you’ve got that trio of studs in the bullpen.
And no need to have 38-year-old closer Bob Wickman pitch three consecutive nights when you’ve got Gonzalez to slip into the closer role whenever you need to.
Not to mention how much this helps with veteran Mike Hampton, who will have gone about 18 months between starts and obviously has to be considered at least a small question mark considering he’s coming back from Tommy John surgery.
The Braves wanted to do everything they could to erase doubts, to cover their bases, to fortify the bridge between the starters and Wickman _ not to mention having a backup plan should “Wick” fade or falter at any point during the long season.
They absolutely loved what they got from Wickman after trading for him on July 20, but it was too little, too late. They needed a closer earlier in the season, when the Mets were taking hold of the division and the Braves were having one of the worst Junes in recorded history.
The last thing the Braves wanted was to go into the ’07 season with a promising rotation and a veteran closer, but a middle-relief and setup crew of journeyman and/or young guys coming back from injuries.
So they traded Horacio Ramirez for flamethrowing righty setup man Rafael Soriano, then traded LaRoche for Gonzalez.
Now, a handful of those other guys will be competing for only a couple of spots in the ‘pen. Because at least four sports appear set _ Wickman, Gonzalez, Soriano and lefty Macay McBride. And the Braves expect Tanyon Sturtze to be ready in May, so that’s five.
I’d guess Oscar Villarreal could get serious consideration for a rotation spot if Kyle Davies doesn’t have a healthy and productive spring, but that’s just an educated guess at this point.
In the meantime, at least the Braves can rest assured that every night won’t be a late-innings adventure.
“Outfit,” by Jason Isbell (Drive-By Truckers)
You want to grow up to paint houses like me,/ a trailer in my yard till you’re 23
You want to be old after 42 years,/keep dropping the hammer and grinding the gears.
Well, I used to go out in a Mustang,/a 302 Mach One in green.
Me and your Mama made you in the back,/and I sold it to buy her a ring.
And I learned not to say much of nothing,/and I figured you already know
But in case you don’t or maybe forgot,/I’ll lay it out real nice and slow:
Don’t call what you’re wearing an outfit./Don’t ever say your car is broke.
Don’t worry about losing your accent,/a Southern Man tells better jokes.
Have fun but stay clear of the needle./Call home on your sister’s birthday.
Don’t tell them you’re bigger than Jesus,/don’t give it away.
Six months in a St. Florian foundry,/they call it Industrial Park.
Then hospital maintenance and tech school/just to memorize Frigidaire parts.
But I got to missing your Mama,/and I got to missing you too.
So I went back to painting for my old man,/and I guess that’s what I’ll always do
So don’t try to change who you are boy,/and don’t try to be who you ain’t.
And don’t let me catch you in Kendale/with a bucket of wealthy-man’s paint.
Don’t call what your wearing an outfit./Don’t ever say your car is broke.
Don’t sing with a fake British accent./Don’t act like your family’s a joke.
Have fun, but stay clear of the needle,/call home on your sister’s birthday.
Don’t tell them you’re bigger than Jesus,/don’t give it away.
Don’t give it away.
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