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DEL.ICIO.USStarter? Closer? Only answer is to clone Smoltz
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
He should start. No, he should close, or maybe he should wait until the leaves start falling, and then he should zip into the bullpen to help the Braves’ search for their first world championship in 10 years.
He should start. No, he should close, or maybe he should wait until the leaves start falling, and then he should zip into the bullpen to help the Braves’ search for their first world championship in 10 years.
“Nah, I think you’d be taking a big chance to try and switch a guy in a situation like that,� said Willie Randolph, who has seen a few decent pitchers as the current Mets manager and former coach and player of the Yankees.
Added Randolph on Tuesday at Turner Field after he recalled operating in the vicinity of World Series greatness among relievers, from Goose Gossage to Mariano Rivera: “Closers are important, but you have to have them lead up to that situation before a playoff situation.� So there goes that crazy idea about the Braves’ John Smoltz. Just leave him alone.
I think. It’s just that two of Smoltz’s successors (Dan Kolb and Chris Reitsma) were a hitter’s best friend. That’s why I wondered if the Braves should do something bold. You know, something to help them get out of the first round of the playoffs after their flips, flops and chokes during four of the past five seasons.
My change of heart (for the moment) has nothing to do with Kyle Farnsworth flashing signs of decency since the end of last month. This time, he collected his fifth save in five tries to preserve Smoltz’s seven innings along the way to a 14th victory against six losses and a 2.96 ERA. The thing is, Kolb and Reitsma also had some nice moments. But none among this trio is resembling Smoltz, who spent the previous three years sprinting toward the Hall of Fame as a reliever after doing the same as a starter for a dozen years.
Now Smoltz is back as a starter, and when it comes to potency, nothing’s changed for this former Cy Young winner, who’s thrown more innings than any pitcher in baseball not named Chris Carpenter. All this from a 38-year-old who was moved to the bullpen after elbow problems. He’s had no problems this season.
“This doesn’t surprise me,� said Braves manager Bobby Cox, who has watched Smoltz during most of the right-hander’s 19 years in pro baseball. “He’s incredibly gifted, and he’s as smart of a worker as you’d ever want to see in any athletics. Given all the injuries we’ve had with starters [three on the disabled list at one point this season], I really don’t know where we would be right now without him as a starter this year.�
What a wonderful mess for the Braves. On the one hand, Smoltz is too strong as a closer to remain a starter, especially since the Braves live for the postseason, where a Mariano Rivera is more valuable in the long run than a Roger Clemens. On the other, Smoltz is too strong as a starter to return to the bullpen, because he is a huge reason for the Braves’ miracle that is evolving into a 14th consecutive trip to the playoffs.
The solution? “That’s easy. I want two of Smoltzie,� said Cox, chuckling in the dugout before the versatile one continued to impress. “It’s nice to trot him out there every five days knowing that you’ve got a great chance to win. It’s nice to trot him out there three times a week knowing that you’ll have a zero up there in the ninth.�
So what does Smoltz wish to do? He smiled, saying, “I know in my heart the value of a starter on this team vs. that of a closer. Look at the Florida Marlins. Their top three starters are so good that it gives their team a lot of confidence. I know the end result [translated: that elusive second world championship] is what everybody has been talking about here, and if people just give this [Smoltz back as a starter for the playoffs, where he has more victories than anybody in history] a chance to work out, they’ll see the benefits later.� OK. I’m convinced. Keep Smoltz as a starter, and hope for the best from Farnsworth.
Come to think of it, that’s exactly what the Braves are doing.
Permalink | Comments (19) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore
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By AZBravoFan
September 7, 2005 12:47 AM | Link to this
I have to agree with Smoltzie on this one. A good closer is certainly very important. But as we’ve seen since John’s held that role the last few years, you’ve got to have a couple dominant starters to lead you up to the closer. How many times in the last 5 years has he been down in the pen sitting on his hands while we trail 2-1 or 3-2? To advance in the playoffs you’ve gotta have some guys that can shut down the opposition, and face down a Clemens or Oswalt until the offense has some life. Sure it’s nice to know your lead is safe when you get to the ninth. But at the same time, it’s a huge boost to the offense when they know their guy can throw up a bunch of zeroes and not force them to play catch-up all the time. Farnsworth will be fine. 98 mph makes up for a whole lotta mistakes. A luxury Reits and Kolb don’t have.
By T Robb
September 7, 2005 06:15 AM | Link to this
I don’t understand what Terence is trying to say. Was there any question about Smoltz continuing to start? Wouldn’t he have continued to do so even if Farnsworth hadn’t clearly solidified the closer role? Where’s the dilemma?
By RZM
September 7, 2005 09:07 AM | Link to this
Yeah T Robb, this appears to be the result of some sort of internal thing in Mr. Moore’s head. There was no way that Smoltz was going back to the pen. We have nobody to replace him. If it weren’t for the pen, Smoltz would be right up there with Willis and Carpenter in wins.
By SJ
September 7, 2005 09:17 AM | Link to this
There is no dilemma, just as there is no chance Smoltz is going to close this year, just as there is no point to rehashing this non-event as Terence Moore seems so inclined to do. It’s as tiresome as it is unrealistic. Farnsworth throws hard using a nasty slider for his out pitch - and he’ll kick yur butt too. Once again, Terence is zigging when he should be zagging.
By BB FAN
September 7, 2005 10:31 AM | Link to this
The bull pen has had at least 5 blown saves in Smoltz’s starts. That would put him at 19 wins and right there for the Cy Young award. What a shame. That would have been awesome…2 cy young awards as a starter plus 3 “Hall Of Fame” seasons as a closer. Not to mention the very good seasons as a starter and the fact that he has more wins than anybody in the post season. HALL OF FAME!
By Ken Bland
September 7, 2005 11:12 AM | Link to this
I agree that there is no legitimate discussion on the subject of John Smoltz going to the bullpen for the post season.
However, as well as he has thrown this year, I would actually be surprised if the situation doesn’t develop where the Braves don’t wind up doing what Arizona did with Randy Johnson a few years back and wind up using Smoltz once, maybe twice to get a couple guys in relief on days he would have thrown seriously on the side. Of course that’s not closing, but its still a role that will add to his lore and contribute to his rightful place in Ctown 5 or 6 years after he sadly retires.
Ken
By PA Braves Fan
September 7, 2005 11:13 AM | Link to this
I agree. There is no dilemma. Smoltz and Hudson are co-aces, and Farnsworth has seized the closer’s job. Adding Farnsworth was the best of many positive moves this season.
By Nina
September 7, 2005 11:17 AM | Link to this
The mention of Smoltz having a 19 win season right now and in contention for the Cy Young (if not for the blown saves from our beleaguered bullpen)…leads me to ask someone, anyone, WHY there is so much weight put on a pitchers WINS-LOSSES in the first place? That is the ONE thing a pitcher cannot control. Their merit should be based solely on ERA. It disgusts me when I see a pitcher go 7 or 8 strong innings and leave with the lead. Another comes in a blows that lead pitching one inning, then the offense comes back and that Bozo gets the WIN just because he’s the last guy to pitch?? What kind of system is that? I have never understood it. And I don’t think I ever will. You can have a guy losing 2-1 over and over. The runs may not even be earned! Yet, he gets saddled with loss after loss (or no decision)? Just because his team doesn’t give him any run support? And on the flip side, you can have a guy with an ERA of say, 5.00 or more, but his team is an offensive powerhouse, so he usually is on the end of the WIN. It wasn’t because of him, yet he gets the full benefit…and sometimes the Cy Young. Now the guys that have the wins racked up AND the ERA: They are something special. You cannot keep making the big deal about the number of wins ONLY. It all just leaves me scratching my head. Just like when I think about the two sets of rules for the National and American Leagues. Now don’t even get me started there…
By dwright
September 7, 2005 11:49 AM | Link to this
It seems that everyone is in agreement that Smoltzie is probably the overall best pitcher this side of Clemens and that he aint’ going back to the pen anytime soon. However, I think some of you have been a little too hard on Mr. Moore. He did not necessarily espouse making Smoltz the closer again, he just raised the question to provoke a discussion, which he did. We’ve all had a good time getting all riled up about this and we have Mr. Moore to thank for that. Keep ‘em comin’, Terry.
By gobuzzgo
September 7, 2005 12:12 PM | Link to this
Farnsworth’s stuff is nasty. Nastier than Smotlz’s. All Farnsworth needs to do is keep his head on straight. Keep quiet and listen to the old hands, Farnsie, and you will be a big big star.
By Alisa
September 7, 2005 01:21 PM | Link to this
Oh & don’t forget not to beat up anybody. I totally agree w/ Nina about the Wins & Losses thing.
By Angus
September 7, 2005 01:56 PM | Link to this
I also agree that Kyle Farnsworth has the stuff to do the job, and I think that he has matured to the point that his aggressive attitude could make him dominate, hopefully for us for a few years. Smoltz, Hudson and any of three starters (Ramirez, Hampton or Thompson, if healthy), make for an imposing front three in a short series, and all can hang up the zeros. That being said, the X factor in the playoffs is going to be future closer Blane Boyer….
By Braves fan
September 7, 2005 03:28 PM | Link to this
I think something that Terrence has overlooked is the fact that since Smoltz was injured in Spring of 2000 and then came back as a closer, the Braves have not even played in the World Series. He has the most postseason wins by starter in history, so he should start. Was he a dominant closer? Of course. But a closer will only pitch in 7-10 innings during the course of a 7 games series if his team happens to lead or is tied. But a #1 starter could pitch as many as 24-27 innings if it goes 7 games and/or depending on how long they go in each game. That’s 3 times the impact inning wise starting vs. closing. The Braves could get behind in the first four games, lose, and never even get to use Smoltz. That’s just a dumb scenario.
And there’s no sense comparing the Braves situation to the Yankees situation when they were winning the World Series a few years ago. Because they had both a Clemens and Rivera. The Braves only have one Smoltzie. But two would be nice.
By Andy
September 7, 2005 07:03 PM | Link to this
It has been on the ESPN boards with “experts” saying Bobby should put Smotlz in the pen come pay offs. Other sportswritors have been talking this nonesense—not T.M.—he just responded.
By Joe Roman
September 7, 2005 11:03 PM | Link to this
Farnsworth is showing every indication of being Da Man. The biggest plus for the Braves though is the Baby Braves. They are nothing short of magic. Magic wins.
By tim f
September 8, 2005 06:55 PM | Link to this
The ajc, worthless rag that it is, is certainly reflected in the ramblings of t. moore. Never part of anything, never loyal, never new, just a swill cry against anything close to hearts of the city of Atlanta. Mr. Moore, not much of a sports writer, and even less a face for TV, has lamented our great team since 1991, when he said ‘they’ll never do it’, or something to that effect. He’s repeated each year since. Go away Mr. Moore, take your sorry employer with you.
By RZM
September 9, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this
Nina, while better than wins, ERA is not a perfect indicator of dominance either - especially for a reliever. Defense and hometown scoring can do a lot to keep ERAs low, but the pitcher can’t control those things either.
There are a number of stats that in tandem can give a good idea: ERA, WHIP (Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched), Opposing Batting average, and OPS against. Those along with park factors can give you a pretty good method of separating the real deal players from the pretenders.
By memory39
September 11, 2005 06:09 PM | Link to this
I’m in total agreement that there never was any debate about Smoltz returning to the closer’s role for the postseason. However, it’s actually quite enjoyable to entertain the idea, and I have no problem with Mr. Moore putting this ostensible “delimma” into the batter’s box.
So far, Farnsworth’s development has been nothing short of encouraging (see today’s come from behinder over the Nats and F’s two strikeouts to end it as huge performances) so it would be a big surprise to see Smoltz anywhere near the bullpen come October. (Still, that too would be an interesting proposition to see Smoltz pulling an RJ in the playoffs.)
The one thing I don’t understand is how frequently Jorge Sosa is overlooked as a quality starter. Of the entire staff, he has the best ERAs of a starter and has given us something that Thomson could only dream of.
At this point, I’d say use Smoltz, Hudson, and Sosa as the big three, put Ramirez, Thomson, and Hampton in the bullpen, and lean on Farnsworth for lockdown.
By Nina
September 13, 2005 09:01 AM | Link to this
RZM… I was speaking in terms of starters for the ERA comment, not the bullpen. And my comment never said anything about it being a perfect indicator. That being said, it’s certainly much closer than wins. And although we’d like to hope all those factors are taken into consideration when picking the Cy Young, they are not. Case in point against wins: McBride gets the WIN on Sunday while pitching ONE THIRD of an inning. I see how fair that is to John Smoltz or any other starter who comes out with the lead… By the way, how does “hometown scoring” keep the pitchers ERA low???