Chop Chick

By gotigers72

May 23, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

Don’t think we should necessarily deal for anyone if it’s gonna cost us one of our rising young stars such as Saltalamacchia or Eric Campbell. There is somebody on staff or in AAA that could do it if given the chance. Paronto, McBride [although he needs to throw more strikes, walk less people], somebody with more overpowering stuff. And don’t throw Trevor Hoffman at me as someone that closes without overpowering stuff. His changeup is the best in the business, but if he didn’t have a 90+ fastball, that change wouldn’t work.

I look at minor league stats often, and Phil Stockman at Richmond has some dominating stats this year. Overpowering type stats. Lots of Ks, not many hits or walks. The last time I looked, he had over 20 innings pitched, and had only given up 7 hits. He became Richmond’s closer when Paronto was promoted. I believe he is 6’8” and 250 lbs. which would give him that closer intimidation factor. I’m not against trading for a closer, just don’t want to give up a young player that may be a future star. Somebody that we would regret giving up. There aren’t many GOOD closers on the market. Other teams aren’t going to give up those guys.

By gotigers72

May 23, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this

Here are Stockman’s stats for the year, from Mississippi and Richmond.

Innings pitched=26 1/3 Hits=8 Runs=3 Walks=12 Strikeouts=36

Pretty dominating wouldn’t you say? May be worth a try.

By biff pocaroba

May 23, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

If Horacio and Chuck James work in the rotation, what about Jorge Sosa? He seems to always start out strong, then melt down around the 5th, and he had a ton of Ks in his last start (even if it was against the Marlins).

By Del

May 23, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this

CC … I’ll play along. Here are my initial committees:

Setup Pool: Reitsma, Cormier

Closer Pool: Sosa, McBride

Bullpen: Villarreal, Paronto, Remlinger

Adjust as necessary after 2-4 weeks.

By KRao

May 23, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this

Del, how can you forget Kenny ‘the sting’ Ray?? A 1.71 ERA in 21 innings pitched deserves more credit; he’s been one of our most consistent pitchers, in a group that’s been anything but consistent. I guess I’m willing to give Sosa a shot at it. I mean he was nicknamed Houdini for putting people on base and somehow getting out of it last year. This year he just puts people on base and helps them get home. Not quite the Magician anymore; he’s become more David Blaine than Houdini this year by turning into some sort of massachist who loves punishing himself (save last start maybe). So all magic references aside, how about heck no to Sosa filling in as a closer. I like the sound of this guy, Phil Stockman. He’s got the build for it and has the stats to back it up, for now. I say we give him a shot. Can’t get much worse. I’ve always loved BC’s ability to trust his players and not give up on them and Reitsma is just a swell of a guy, but he is wayyy to scared to be the closer. There is nothing intimidating about him anymore. And frankly, when you lose that ability to scare hitters, you can’t be a closer. There’s just no way. Either way, I think Bobby is gonna leave him in there until he screws up one more time. Here’s hoping it doesnt happen either…here’s hoping he “magically” turns into the Reitsma of July 2005 for the rest of the year. Abracadabara!

By Del

May 23, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

KRoa .. I didn’t forget about Ray. It came down to Ray or Paronto. Ray is a fly ball pitcher, Paronto more a ground ball sort. I went with the ground type. Nothing against Ray, I think he has done a heck of a job.

By eric the elder

May 23, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this

I say forget trades. Closers are a unique breed, and they can’t be found just anywhere. A closer usually only comes in with the game on the line, and he can’t wait to get the ball. There is not a doubt in his mind that he is going to blow three guys away and go have a beer. He can’t look pale, frightened, and tentative (see Reitsma). Preferably they should look and act mean.

I just don’t think there are guys like that out there waiting to come to the Braves. And I’m not in favor of giving up young talent in hopes of finding someone who might or might not fit the bill. Let’s just go with the hot hand du jour and take our chances.

By gotigers72

May 24, 2006 01:59 AM | Link to this

Phil Stockman pitched 2 1/3 more innings of hitless ball for Richmond tonight. No walks, 3 strikeouts. Here are his totals now between Richmond and Mississippi.

Innings=28 2/3 Hits=8 Runs=3 Walks=12 Strikeouts=39. That is below 1 in WHIP and ERA. Dominant.

They are going to have to give this guy a chance soon. I know there is a big difference between big league hitters and AAA hitters, but he needs to get a chance in the bigs.

By Daybed Wagmoe

May 24, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this

i say we trade reitsma for mariano rivera, straight up.

if the yankees don’t accept that, then i’d like to see kenny ray given a chance.

By metsmanintheatl

May 24, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

last nites results confirm this is the year of the metros…chipper makes blooper and bravos lose…metzos outlast 2nd place phillies…nice run by the atl…still have a shot at wild card if bobby cox pulls another one out of his hat…GO METROPOLITANS!!!

By Rutuger

May 24, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this

God I hope we win the wild card and not the division. Streaking at the end is all that matters in the MLB playoffs.

By metsmanintheatl

May 24, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

rutuger…you have a good point a la marlins, angels and in hockey edmonton….whoever dreamed up wild cards must have never dreamed a team could get pummeled in regular season/sneak in playoffs and be called world champions…whatta country…we’ll see

By braves fan

May 25, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

I hadn’t heard of this Phil Stockman guy before. But you can’t argue with the stats. Anytime a guy has fewer hits+walks than innings pitched, he’s a keeper. Throw in more strikeouts than innings pitched and now you’ve got something special. My only questions would be, what does he throw and why hasn’t he been in the majors before? And if he has, why didn’t it work out?

But until they call him up, I think they should go with Ken Ray vs. righthanders and McBride vs. lefties. And see how that works out.

By Daddy Reitsma

May 25, 2006 09:15 PM | Link to this

My boy Chis is gonna get better as the Braves closer,he is working hard with Roger and john Smoltz,wait and see,he is gonna be great,for all you negative Braves fans i am gonna laugh my butt off when my son chris saves 30 games this year for the braves,then lets see what you morons gonna say then.Chris will be an elite closer and each one of you will eat your words.If you are a true fan build him up instead of putting him down,stand behind him in the good times and the bad,i do ,i always have and always will.after all he is my son.

By Daddy Reitsma

May 25, 2006 09:16 PM | Link to this

you don’t need a closer by committee,my boy is getting better and he is gonna dominate as one of the best closers of all time,wait and see.

By gotigers72

May 25, 2006 09:40 PM | Link to this

Hey daddy reitsma, could I possibly buy some of whatever it is you’re smoking? Must be good stuff.

By Daddy Reitsma

May 25, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this

Hey Gotigers72,I Ain’t smoking nothing,i told you my boy is gonna save 30 games this year and he will.wait and see.

By Daddy Reitsma

May 25, 2006 10:30 PM | Link to this

I got confidence in my son,he is a good guy,as a young boy growing up he was always a good boy.he plays the game of baseball very well and achieves what he sets out to do,he told me a few days ago,pop i am gonna be the best closer the BRaves ever had.he will.

By Daddy Reitsma

May 26, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this

It is not fair on Bobby’s part to not have let my boy get the save today against the Cubs,my boy deserved that save more than Ray.

By fart

May 29, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

Time to get rid of Thomson and replace him with Dontrelle,trade Salty and Larew now to the fish for Dontrelle,then see what we can get for Thomson,if we can’t get nothing for him,then release him,the way he has pitched he has to go now.

By iluv2fart

May 29, 2006 09:25 PM | Link to this

The Muts sux,Omar Minaya suxs,the whole Muts team and organization sux and whole state of NY suxs,Braves will get Dontrelle and win it all,then lets see what the losers in NY have to say then,NAts and Frank Robinson suxs,we don’t have to worry bout the Phillies they are a bunch of misfits and retards so Braves don’t have to worry bout them.Braves will win it all.

By Matt

May 30, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

Why not Old Man River, Mike Remlinger? I mean, yeah, he’s not the long-term answer, but it seems of late he’s been able to get it done in the 9th. Maybe he could be the one for this year and mentor some of the younger guys into the closing role.

Also, metsmanintheatl…go back to New York. You’re stinkin’ up the air down here.