AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 05
Monday, February 5, 2007
Cox is bullish on ‘pen
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Assuming you good folks survived two weeks of mind-numbing banality disguised as Super Bowl preview/analysis, and aren’t incarcerated today for a crime committed in the fog of temporary insanity that can result from Stuart Scott saturation, let’s return our focus to Braves baseball and other important matters.
A couple of things I heard as the pitching camp got started at Turner Field:
_ The bullpen is so strong that manager Bobby Cox believes it’ll have an effect on the starting rotation akin to what good hitters can do for other hitters in a lineup. In other words, give them protection and make them better.
The Braves believe they have basically reduced a lot of games to six innings.
Starters don’t have to pace themselves and try to get through seven or eight innings, at least not every night (though you can count on ultra-competitive John Smoltz, regardless of what he might say this spring, wanting to stay in as long as his arm is attached and he’s still got any chance to win a game).
Now that they know now that the trio of Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez, and Bob Wickman is anchoring a ‘pen that has gone from perhaps the weakest in the NL to potentially one of the two or three best in baseball, the starters and Cox won’t be fearful of turning it over to the guys in the “bully.”
In addition to that potent trio at the back end, the Braves’ ‘pen might leave spring training filled out with lefty Macay McBride, durable Oscar Villarreal, and two others from among a group of quality candidates including hard-throwing Blaine Boyer, working without restrictions after missing all but the first week of the 2006 season for shoulder surgery; Joey Devine, who had a promising late-season stint after severe April control issues and back problems; and journeymen Tyler Yates, Chad Paronto and Peter Moylan, who all pitched well for varied periods last season.
The Braves signed veteran Tanyon Sturtze with the expectation that he’d be ready to pitcher around May, giving them more quality depth. And don’t forget Phil Stockman, the 27-year-old rookie who did some good things in a few outings before a hamstring injury.
_ The fifth starter battle figures to be between leading candidate Kyle Davies, the once-golden boy prospect whose rookie year was severely hampered by May groin surgery, and Lance Cormier, who could be a candidate for the bullpen or trade by late spring if Davies shows what the Braves hope he’ll show in Lake Buena Vista.
But keep in mind the name Matt Harrison. The Braves’ top pitching prospect (and No. 3 overall prospect) is a 21-year-old lefty who made only 12 starts above A-ball last season, but he’s the real thing by all accounts, with good stuff and great command, and will get a chance to show what he can do early in camp.
It’s exremely unlikely he would be on the opening day roster, but Harrison could get consideration for a callup at some point if his development continues. He had a 114 strikeouts with 33 walks in 158 innings last season in 25 starts between high-A Myrtle Beach and AA Mississippi.
_ The first four starters are set, obviously, with Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton and Chuck James. The Braves really are counting heavily on a healthy, productive return for Hampton, not just hoping he can win 7-8 games. “You never know, because he’s coming off surgery,” Cox said. “But I feel good about it. A big part of our team is him.”
Pitching coach Roger McDowell agrees, but isn’t going over the top in his expectations, cautioning that some pitchers require more than two full seasons after Tommy John surgery because they completely shed the mental restraints and aren’t concerned with anything other than making a big pitch when they have to.
_ Among those who believe Kelly Johnson will be a quality second baseman is former Braves infielder Mark DeRosa, who knows a little something about moving between positions and eventually winning a regular job at second base.
DeRo used his breakout season with Texas to get a three—year, $13 mill contract with the Cubs. He’s been working out at Turner Field and taking ground balls with Johnson, the former shortstop and former outfielder who enters spring training with the second-base job his to lose after a winter spend working with Glenn Hubbard on the ins and outs of the position.
I asked DeRosa if Kelly can do the job at second base.
“Absolutely,” he said. “The guy’s an athlete. You could tell that when the drafted him. Big kid, strong. And he’ll have the luxury of working with Glenn Hubbard all spring training, being able to pick his brain. I don’t see any reason he can’t do it.”
And if Kelly isn’t ready?
Bobby Cox said: “We’ve got Prado, Orr, Woodward, Aybar … we’ve got some guys to choose from.”
But since Cox plans to go with a 12-man pitching staff again, a couple of those extra infielders and possibly an outfielder are going to be in the minors or traded.
_ Speaking of Willy Aybar, early in the winter GM John Schuerholz mentioned in an interview the possibility of having Aybar spell Chipper Jones from time to time in an attempt to keep the veteran third baseman healthy after three seasons plagued by injuries.
But it sounds as if that plan, if it ever was really more than discussion, is no longer being seriously considered. In other words, it sounds as if Chipper, as long as he’s healthy and wants to play, will be in the lineup every day.
And Chipper said he has no intention of asking Bobby Cox for a day off unless he’s “struggling mightily” at the plate. In other words, don’t expect Hoss to sit when he’s healthy, at least not more than a game here or there like any other lineup regular.
At least that’s the impression I got from both Chipper and Bobby.
“I think you play Chipper until … if he starts sensing [his chronic foot problems] are bothering him, give him a breather,” Cox said.
Jones said he wants to play 150 games, to give you an idea what we’re talking about here.
OK, we’ll add some more stuff later. Gotta get to this lunch meeting with WSB Radio folks.
In the meantime, some music, maestro:
“LIKE A HURRICANE,” by Neil Young
Once I thought I saw you in a crowded hazy bar,/Dancing on the light from star to star.
Far across the moonbeam I know that’s who you are,/I saw your brown eyes turning once to fire.
You are like a hurricane/There’s calm in your eye.
And Im gettin blown away/To somewhere safer where the feeling stays.
I want to love you but I’m getting blown away.
I am just a dreamer, but you are just a dream,/You could have been anyone to me.
Before that moment you touched my lips/That perfect feeling when time just slips
Away between us on our foggy trip.
You are like a hurricane/There’s calm in your eye.
And I’m gettin blown away/To somewhere safer where the feeling stays.
I want to love you but Im getting blown away.
You are just a dreamer, and I am just a dream./You could have been anyone to me.
Before that moment you touched my lips/That perfect feeling when time just slips
Away between us on our foggy trip.
You are like a hurricane/There’s calm in your eye.
And I’m gettin blown away/To somewhere safer where the feeling stays.
I want to love you but I’m getting blown away.
Services »
