Moving to a new location
AJC blogs are moving to a new technical platform. So check out Terence Moore’s new blog home and bookmark it.
Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > October > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWren refuses to give up on vision
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Braves general manager Frank Wren had it right this season regarding his vision for baseball fossils John Smoltz and Tom Glavine. It’s just that the injury gods couldn’t care less about vision. Even so, despite their ongoing aches and pains, those baseball fossils are in Wren’s new vision, but only in a smaller way, which means he still has it right.
That’s because Wren refuses to send his baseball fossils to a museum until he is just shy of having no choice.
You can say the same of Wren’s approach to Mike Hampton, nearly a baseball fossil at 36, and to Tim Hudson, the toddler of the bunch at 33, who is recovering from major elbow surgery.
Wren’s new vision is like this: He is approaching 2009 with the mindset of acquiring a couple of pitching aces from elsewhere to anchor the Braves’ starting rotation. Still, he is keeping Smoltz (recovering from shoulder surgery at 41), Glavine (a free agent recovering from elbow and shoulder surgeries at 42), Hampton (always recovering from something) and Hudson in the mix until their arms show signs of snapping from their bodies.
And why not? Although future Hall of Famers Smoltz and Glavine have been around a combined 41 seasons in the majors, they were significant pitchers as recently as last season. Hampton was Hampton again down the stretch this season despite not throwing a major-league pitch in nearly three years. Then there was Hudson, spending his 12th season in professional baseball without a losing record.
“It’ll be the last month of next season before Hudson can return, and the prognosis is good on him,” Wren said Thursday. “I think in both cases [for Smoltz and Glavine], they’re ready for spring training. We won’t know for sure until they increase the intensity on their throwing programs later in the winter, but I think both of them are on track to be ready.”
As for Hampton, who had a 3.72 ERA during his last nine starts, Wren already has told the left-hander that the Braves wish to re-sign him. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, nothing wrong with any of Wren’s approach to his baseball fossils, because the New York Yankees proved often during the latter part of their dynasty run this century that age is just a number these days regarding some pitchers.
In 2003, for instance, each of the Yankees’ top four starting pitchers won at least 15 games. They also threw more than 200 innings apiece along the way to the American League pennant. One was 41 (Roger Clemens), another was 40 (David Wells), another was 34 (Mike Mussina) and the other was 31 (Andy Pettitte).
Sounds like Wren’s vision for the Braves before the injury gods took over. Still, with the acquisition of a No. 1 and a No. 2 starter through trade or free agency and the continued growth of Jair Jurrjens into stardom, Wren’s new vision has some of his older pitchers in the back of the rotation. If the injury gods are kind, those pitchers could reach more of the rotation.
“There are just so many advances in medicine — sports medicine, in particular, whether it’s an elbow or shoulder surgery that used to take a pitcher out maybe when he was 30,” Wren said. “Now they can fix it, and he can pitch until he’s 45. It’s just a different era totally. It’s that, and we also have a track record with this group of [older] pitchers that is strong.”
Very strong. Strong enough to keep throwing them out there.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Categories: Braves/MLB
Services »
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Ron Roberts
October 2, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
I think this is a bold game plan, but a sound one, as well. Going into 2009, I think its safe to play with the odds that, in the back our collective minds, one of those three stalwarts (Smoltz, Glavine or Hampton) should pan out in our favor. Adding two solid starters to go with JJ and at least one of those three, with a Parr/Morton in the 5-spot of the rotation would be fairly solid.
Bad as the breaks have been for the Braves, injury-wise, the last few years, I still say it’s safe to presume 1/3 of the above-mentioned tandem will do well for us; getting one other of them to bounce-back and prosper would give us a veritable wealth of pitching, and thrust us into playoff contention.
By john
October 2, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
I don’t see how they can possibly trade for 2 aces with the players we now have. I also don’t think we will be able to afford an ace via free agency. If we do keep all 3 pitchers albiet at a reduced rate, it gives us even less payroll to spend on top pitchers. Sounds good, and boy do I hope Wren can do it, I just don’t see it. If he can’t do it, we are basically back to a similar starting rotation as this year.
By Kay
October 2, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
If Wren is going after 2 ace type pitchers and there is Jurrjens on the number 3 then I like it. That gives Smoltz, Glavine and Hampton for 4-5 and 6 and dont forget Hudson. I personally would put Hampton in the number 4 spot and let Glavine and Smoltz pitch out of the pen and in take turns on the number 5. Fill in a centerfielder who can hit and a left fielder who can hit and we are right back in there. Morton, Reyes and James stay in AAA or they pitch from the pen. Of course then Smoltz can close it out in really close ones too.
If they cant sign two ace type pitchers then I dont like it at all. The old arms off surgery have not proven reliable for every day starts and we will be right back here next year. With a broken down pitching staff and a roofie at the top. Have to pass on that one I think.
By country boy
October 2, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore - Wren seems very uncertain in this article. Haven’t we learned about Mike Hampton yet? Haven’t we learned that our great but old pitchers break down during a long season. There is no such thing as an INJURY GOD. Older players are more injury prone - FACT. Also Wren would be doing his job if he sat down with Bobby and “pushed” him upstairs to a position within the organization similar to Aaron’s. Cox is not effective with equal or less talent whereas some mgrs. can be productive.
By AlG
October 2, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
Get serious. If Wren wants to re-sign Hampton, Wren himself should resign. Smoltz may be able to pitch as a closer, Glavine is done. If we resign Hampton, we’d have to pay him enough to keep us from getting someone with a future. As for Hampton lasting a full season—dream on. The biggest thing Wren has to do is shake up the coaches, including Bobby Cox. Bobby will rightly enter the HOF on the first ballot, but he needs to start his eligibility clock Now. Hello, Ned Yost. And please, PLEASE, send Mr. Pendleton packing.
By BravesFan79
October 2, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
I hope Smoltz pitches for the Braves till hes 50 years old!
By hop
October 2, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
it is high time to say farewell to the old guys with the type of injuries they suffered.
they were great during their prime,but it is time for the braves to move on with rebuilding the staff for the long term or are the braves trying to save money by getting by with cheap salaries with the old guys to avoid rebuilding the team with quality young arms.
it looks to be another near cellar ran for ‘09.
By brandon
October 2, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
complaining about the managerial staff now is pointless. wren’s already decided that bobby and the others will be back.
By Bobbymahlon
October 2, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
If Wren is going to sign Hampton it better be with a incentive loaded contract and Hampton owes to the Braves to not have to take a chance that he might break down again. Forget about Glavine he is done so stick a fork in him. I think we owe it to Smoltz to give him a chance, but lets not count on him and if he makes it that will be a bonus. In the past when a pitcher comes back from major surgery we have not pushed them so I would not be surprised if they shut Hudson down for the 2009 season. So for the 2009 season to be a success we have to go out and get a couple of really good arms or else it will be 2008 all over again. Once again we have got to get a power RIGHT hand hitter for all these good left hand pitchers in our division.
By Allen
October 2, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
SMoltz could help in the bullpen, Hudson can come back next year if we’re in it when he’s ready (if not, he should wait) and Tommy still has some life left in him—he’ll run out of gas by the All_Star break, but will help until then. Hampton? Offer him the league minimum and see if anyone goes better
By D-Cider
October 2, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Terrie, Wren’s vision is clouded by LSD…maybe the Braves pitchers should take steriods that is the reason Clemens was pitching when he was 41
By Tim
October 2, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
Smoltz - fine out of the bullpen. Hampton - definitely worth a shot given how he pitched in his last 9 starts.
Glavine - are you kidding me? The guy was finished at the end of the 2007 season with the Mets, and showed no signs of life with the Braves this year. He already stole 8 million from us this year, Wren needs to be fired if he gives him a dollar more for next year. If he wants to pitch, he needs to pay us!
By Dozer
October 2, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
Perfect - this is SO Braves. why not get Steve Avery? Lets see - Smoltz with a blown-out arm, Glavine with his 76-mph FB, and Hampton just being Hampton (that’s enough). Now that he has the pitching staff squared away, I’m sure we’ll see the same approach to the 25-HR outfield. After all, Francouer will be OK - it was the extra weight & muscle that affected his plate discipline. Why not bring Andruw back? I’m sure the Dodgers wouldn’t mind. And if any of them struggle again, our crack coaching staff can get them back on track or send them to the minors for a couple of days if all else fails……..
By raymond
October 2, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
Can them all and use the money to rebuild!