AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2005 > August > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLousy time for Braves’ bullpen to go AWOL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
There are alternatives, yes, but there aren’t really any answers. August is the wrong month to fix a bullpen. The time for that was before the trade deadline, and back then the bullpen seemed ducky. If Chris Reitsma isn’t a bona fide closer, he picked the exact wrong occasion to be named Rolaids Relief Man for July.
The party line from the home clubhouse at Turner Field: There’s nothing wrong with Reitsma except, ahem, a little trouble with his location. One good outing and he’ll again be closing games with dispatch and this whole tempest will be forgotten come October. But what did you expect from a team managed by the most optimistic man in the history of the species? Furniture-flinging angst?
For the record, Bobby Cox said this Wednesday: “[These relievers] could be good enough. They should be good enough. There’s talent out there, no doubt about it. It’s our job to get it out of them. [Everything] could be fine â€â€? we’re in first place with a pretty darn good bullpen.”
Half of that is true. The Braves are in first, but suddenly this bullpen is an issue. After converting nine consecutive saves, Reitsma has flubbed his last three. The team has blown 15 saves this season, more than it did in the entirety of 2002. That ironclad ‘pen, you’ll recall, featured Chris Hammond and Mike Remlinger as set-up men and John Smoltz as closer. Only Smoltz is still here, and he’s no longer a closer. And therein hangs a tale.
In their zeal to strengthen the rotation over the winter, the Braves re-assigned Smoltz and thereby weakened their bullpen. The soft-tossing Dan Kolb lost the job he was imported to do within two months. Reitsma didn’t so much win the spot as he fell into it. Through June and July he looked splendid in the ninth inning, which was somewhat surprising given that he’d always been considered an eighth-inning pitcher, but now he seems to be catching Kolb’s cold. And what appeared a strength 10 days ago looks more and more like a liability.
There’s no such thing as a solid bullpen with a shaky closer. Everything in neo-baseball is geared toward getting the game to the ninth inning with a one-run lead. Reitsma doesn’t fit the closer profile â€â€? he has good stuff, as opposed to great â€â€? but there is the Braves’ clubhouse a reminder that stuff isn’t always the determinant.
Kyle Farnsworth, acquired at the deadline, should have been a smart buy. He throws hard and strikes people out, which is what you want a closer to do, and he figured to offer cover in case Reitsma faltered. But nothing Farnsworth has done since his arrival has been terribly impressive, and already the Braves must be wondering, as the Cubs did before shipping him to Detroit, why a guy equipped with such an arm isn’t a better pitcher. Just on demeanor, the placid Reitsma seems more suited to the task of working the ninth inning than the flighty Farnsworth.
Beyond those two, who else is there? Kolb has generated 78 baserunners in 47 innings, a terrible ratio. John Foster is the get-out-the-lefties guy. Jim Brower is a fill-out-the-bullpen guy. You can’t switch Smoltz because then you’ve got nobody of his stature to start Game 1 of the Division Series, and not having a No. 1 starter is how the Braves lost their last Division Series, which is where we all came in.
“We’ll play it by ear,” Cox said, but there aren’t many plays to be made. The Braves simply have to hope Reitsma perks up. He’s the best they’ve got, and at his best he’s good enough. He was at his best in July. Then again, July isn’t October.
Permalink | Comments (32) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Mark Bradley
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By HobNailBoot
August 17, 2005 08:22 PM | Link to this
Mark; soft-tossing Kolb?..you consider a boring, 94 mph sinking fastball soft? I’m not saying he’s doing this all the time - just that’s what he can bring when he’s right (if he ever gets consistently right). He has the physical capability - don’t really know why he can’t put it together consistently.
By Eric
August 17, 2005 08:23 PM | Link to this
Macbeth begins with a procession of the ghosts of kings past. Terrifying, really. I can imagine Leo having dreams of the same sort. Kolb, Brower, Reitsma, Farnsworth - - oh, dreadful apparitions! The only saves the Braves should be thinking about is how they can score enough runs to save the bullpen.
By HobNailBoot
August 17, 2005 08:34 PM | Link to this
If we can average 8 to 10 runs a game, we’ll be okay.
By Charley Mumbai
August 17, 2005 10:54 PM | Link to this
I guess we’ll just have to mix and match, unless someone wants to bring up Joey Devine before Sept. 1st and see what happens, which is mighty unlikely. I’d rather take my chances with Kolb and Farnsworh (or even McBride) starting the 9th than Reitsma. He my be a fine 8th inning guy, but has anyone EVER seen him get a swinging strike with his fastball? It’s got to be the straightest 95mph pitch in the league.
By Peter
August 18, 2005 12:15 AM | Link to this
A weak bullpen is a two headed devil. It underminds the confidence of the other players because no lead is safe and it infuses the opposition with hope because they can always “come back and get [these] guys!”
A great pen however puts pressure on the opponent because they know they’ve got to get to your starter before the bullpen takes over the game and your own players are able to play a more confident game knowing that the flame thrower is out there.
It’s a long standing curse for the Braves. I can only think of two good closers that we’ve developed, Brad Clontz (who proved better as a set up guy) and Mark Wohlers before he sailed off of the edge.
By Jim
August 18, 2005 07:34 AM | Link to this
Give Farnsworth a shot at closing. He has tremendous heat and is somewhat of a presence out there. He might could do it. It is certainly worth a try.
By D
August 18, 2005 08:01 AM | Link to this
Blaine Boyer seemed like a guy with the stuff and demeanor to be a closer. In this year of the baby Braves it would be appropriate to have another rookie come in a star as the closer.
By Leonard Parent
August 18, 2005 08:45 AM | Link to this
I’d give Boyer a chance! He has the stuff and seems to be unafraid!!!
By L
August 18, 2005 09:00 AM | Link to this
Kolb is a “soft tosser”????????
Farnsworth is “flighty” ???????
If I were to look for words to describe Klob and Farnsworth, those would NOT be included.
Farnsworth hurt his back during batting practice in before a game against the Reds. He still isn’t 100%.
I think his showing in Detroit is much more indicitive of what he can do as a closer than a few games he’s played (with a hurt back) here in Atlanta.
I don’t think Paul Wilson or J. Afeldt would agree that Kyle is “flighty”.
I vote for Kyle for closer, as soon as his back clears up.
By Judy
August 18, 2005 09:07 AM | Link to this
Boyer said it best when he said the Braves didn’t bring him up here to give up hits. They brought him here to get outs. With that attitude he deserves a shot at closing. Reitsma will hyperventilate and pass out on the mound before the end of the season. You read it here first.
By Braves fan
August 18, 2005 09:22 AM | Link to this
If there was a script to this season the final chapter would have to include promoting a closer from AA Miss. to close out the 9th for the Braves the rest of the way. Why not? There is precedent available to suggest Joey Devine could be very effective in the majors. Remember K-Rod? It just seems like a perfect fit for THESE Braves. The Nationals have Chad Cordero closing for them. He was a college closer, and had very little time in the minors. Trust in thy system. It hasn’t failed them thus far.
By Braves fan
August 18, 2005 09:24 AM | Link to this
I can see the headline now: “Devine Intervention”
I’ll expect payment from the ajc when he comes up for that headline.
By Greg
August 18, 2005 09:30 AM | Link to this
Kolb isn’t a “soft-tosser” but he’s not a strikeout pitcher. Reitsma isn’t really one either. You need to be able to strikeout a key guy in the 9th.
Farnsworth is not the mentality you want in a closer, but there are other options:
John Thomson: if his finger give him fits, he has the stuff to close.
Jorge Sosa: if he can spot his curveball, he can also close.
Moving a starter to closer can work (see Smoltz, Eckersley, Gagne), and it would seem to make more sense than giving the ball to a guy like Kolb.
By BB FAN
August 18, 2005 09:33 AM | Link to this
I think Farnsworth should be given a chance if he gets healthy. Or bring up Devine. Cordero did it for the Expos a few years ago, so why not Devine. That’s why he was drafted. Reitsma is a great 8th inning guy, but not a closer.
By Chuck
August 18, 2005 09:39 AM | Link to this
With Sosa going to the ‘pen, why not see what he can do in the closer’s role?
I do think we need to give Farnsorth a little more time given that he’s coming off a back injury. Certainly he’d fit the Georgia Posse narrative nicely.
By dannycardwell
August 18, 2005 09:56 AM | Link to this
give the kids a chance. boyer has earned the shot. if he fails, bring up a couple more. lets keep rolling the dice and enjoy these kids having fun. anybody been watching the braves bench during games? we no longer have 15 robots sitting on the bench. smoltz, giles franco and yes even chipper look like they are having the time of their lives. i wouldn make any kind of trade as it will cost players later. hello hob
By Fabrizio Di Muro
August 18, 2005 10:21 AM | Link to this
I’d be OK with bringing up Devine to see what he can do, but I probably wouldn’t put him in as closer. Too much pressure, too soon. Even when the Angels brought up K-Rod, he didn’t close. And he is a guy who will probably have 300+ saves and a HOF career. Is Devine that good? Who knows.
Also, Jorge Sosa goes to the pen, and Horatio Ramirez is back in the starting rotation:
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/8742300
Maybe Sosa can close?
By Carroll
August 18, 2005 11:55 AM | Link to this
Here are some suggestions:
1) In re making Sosa the closer…I don’t think that would work. He was not good at all outta the pen earlier this year, and even in his good starts he was ALWAYS walking the tight rope. I don’t want a closer to come in and get runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1 out every time. I do think he makes a quality addition to the pen in setup, but don’t give him the closer job just yet.
2) I would try the following guys as closer in order until someone sticks:
Farnsy, Boyer, Thomson, Devine, Sosa
And I would get Devine up here right away, even if he’s not used as closer. We still have some options, but we need for BC to stop this blind stubborn loyalty b.s. and quit trying to pretend there’s not a problem. He’s like a damned alcoholic always denying the undeniable…defending the indefensible. But if we’re to win one single, solitary postseason game, we need a change now. Anyone remember last year how stressful the 9th was in the playoffs….and that was with the great smoltz in there to close it out. I can only imagine my angst with this bozo (REeksma) in there. Sheesh!
By Braves fan
August 18, 2005 03:37 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley, I have a serious question regarding the Major League Baseball waiver process. And since no where on ESPN.com or MLB.com gives you an opportunity to ask a question of this nature, I thought you might know, or be able to ask someone who does know.
A player can be placed on waivers, and if a claim on that player is made the team that placed him on waivers can pull him off if they really had no interest in making a trade. What I don’t understand is, if a team doesn’t want to trade a player, why do they go thru the motions of putting them on waivers? Do all players have to go thru waivers, or is there some advantage gained that isn’t talked about? Some info would be cool. Thanks,
By Eric Nelson
August 18, 2005 03:39 PM | Link to this
It may be of interest that Eddie Guardado cleared waivers yesterday.
In typical John Schuerholz fashion, you may find an under the radar trade network being worked.
Kolb would clear waivers easily enough, and we would likely have to trade Kolb, Pena (AAA catcher) and another young arm like Boyer or/and McBride.
A high cost, but the return would be a boost.
How bad do you want success?
By AZBravoFan
August 18, 2005 03:40 PM | Link to this
I’d have to agree with giving Joey Devine a shot. This guy has always been a closer, so the pressure shouldn’t be anything new to him. Plus, if you subscribe at all to the “Moneyball” theories, college success often translates to Major League success.
By DD
August 18, 2005 04:06 PM | Link to this
Try Boyer now. Give him the job for the next 10 days. He has the best stuff in the pen. If he falters, then bring up Devine on August 31. May want to do that anyway. Reitsma is not going to get it done in the playoffs and the Braves are fooling themselves if they think so……..
By mark bradley
August 18, 2005 04:09 PM | Link to this
A team sometimes puts a player on waivers to see which other teams might have an interest in him.
By Chris
August 18, 2005 06:00 PM | Link to this
I knew the crappy AJC sportwriting staff wouldn’t last at charging for their drivel.
By Jerry Holcombe
August 18, 2005 06:52 PM | Link to this
Finally! I read in the paper today that Bobby will go to the infamous “bullpen by committee” system in order to get these games saved. It think the way Bobby manages, that is the perfect way to do it if you don’t have a dominant guy, and boyoboy we are far from having anyone dominant to go to. I like it because Bobby has a tendency to bring in guys just because they have defined roles whether they are needed or not. Maybe now he’d be a bit more judicious with his moves. That said, I’ll go out on a limb and say that I’ve been impressed by the way Kolb has gone about his business lately. Maybe he should be given a chance to save one here or there. I also believe that Boyer is the guy. He has shut batters down on more than a few occasions. I also think that Sosa is a good candidate for setup man. I am not a fan of either Reeksma or Fartsworth. I mean, how can these two be said to have dominating stuff, yet have mediocre to middling results? I’ve heard people put so much stock in blazing fastballs, but what good is a 95-100mph heater when hitters consistantly get around on them? The mark of a good closer is when a hitter go up to the plate and they have a look like it’s all over but the crying. Then after they’ve had their go at it, they walk or jog back to the dugout shaking their head. With what we have, hitters are striding to the plate with a definite swagger because they know they have a good chance. A hitter with confidence is half the battle and we can’t afford to have teams believe that they have a chance.
By Jerry Holcombe
August 18, 2005 06:58 PM | Link to this
I’m kinda surprised that Guardado cleared waivers. I thought for sure that someone would claim him. It’s definitely a chess match.
By bobby black
August 18, 2005 09:18 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox may have won a lot of games as a Manager, but he has never learned when to change pitchers.
By Big Cooter
August 18, 2005 09:20 PM | Link to this
It looks like Francoeur is making a better player out of Chipper.
By Braves fan
August 19, 2005 12:33 PM | Link to this
Not sure if that really was Mark Bradley responding, doubt it since he probably would remember to capitalize his own name. Okay, let’s say that’s the only reason a team would put a player on waivers (and not have any interest in trading them), to see who has interest. The Braves put Francouer on waivers, and pulled him back after he was claimed. I’m not a psychic but I could have told you that 31 teams would claim Francouer. So why do they bother? There must be some technical issue that requires teams to place all their players on waivers. That’s all I really want to know, is what that requirement or rule is. You can’t get any good information from these columnists. TMoore is busy pontificating about the Hawks mascot and Bisher is babbling about some player from the early 1900’s that he no doubt witnessed first hand. Get off your asses and provide some interesting information that is both entertaining and educational, you poor excuses for journalists!!
By Jerry Holcombe
August 19, 2005 02:34 PM | Link to this
Braves fan, let’s see if I can be of service to you. Before the trade deadline, a team can deal with any team they choose to. After the deadline, the playing field is leveled a bit so that some teams can’t just run away with any player they want. If a player is put on waivers to gauge the interest in that player, that all stops with the team with the worst record that claims the player. Then, the parent team can choose to trade with the team that is able to claim the player or pull that player back and keep him. This was done back in 1993 when the Braves were trying to catch up to the Giants. The Giants wanted Dennis Martinez so bad that they could taste it, but they had the second best record in the NL behind Philadelphia at the time and Atlanta was third in the league. When Martinez was passed by each team, Atlanta threw a monkey wrench into it by claiming Martinez so that the Giants could not get their hands on him. That move, more than any other, probably won the west for Atlanta because San Francisco was forced to use Salomon Torres as a starter and he fell apart while Burkett and Swift tired out. Martinez refused to be traded to Atlanta because he didn’t want to be a 5th starter behind Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, and Avery. Atlanta gambled and won. Sorry to ramble on about the past, and I can’t swear that I’m right about waivers being a way to be more fair, but it works out that way even if baseball didn’t intend it that way. I hope this helps in some way.
By Jim Feely
August 20, 2005 09:20 AM | Link to this
If the bullpen were the only orbem with the pitching staff, this would be a no sweat situation. From what I can see, with the excepotion of Hudson, the team is worse off with the return of Thompson and Hampton. Neither is a mystery and both appear to be washed up. They have not been impressive in the past either.Hampton is a gamer, and his bat does bring another element to the game, but Thpmpson doesn’t have that going for him. Both need to go or be sent down for some seasoning in the minors. They were and are an embarassment. Why couldn’t we stick with the kids win or lose? These two guys make the game dull at a time qwhen we were beginning to have fun again. Get R Done John and Bobby.
By Jim Feely
August 20, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this
One more thing, Kolb is a loser on a winning ball club. I remember when Smoltz needed a sports psychiatrist, perpahs that is what the bullpen as well as Thompson and Hampton could use as well. I can hit Hampton.