AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > October > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSoriano has the right stuff to close
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
After 14 consecutive playoff appearances, the Braves were distant observers of the postseason the past two years. Will they make it three in a row, or can changes in the offseason put them back in place to right the ship? Looking for answers, we put four questions to each of our sports columnists. Here, Terence Moore answers: Should the Braves rely on Rafael Soriano to be their closer?
What is there not to like about Rafael Soriano, the closest thing to John Smoltz as a potent Braves closer since, well, John Smoltz?
I’m still thinking.
Oh, that’s right. You had that fluke during the middle of last summer, when Soriano kept watching hitters slam his pitches toward the other side of the ozone. He allowed 16 earned runs and nine home runs during that 24-inning stretch.
You just have all of those other wonderful things about Soriano, though. For one, he throws hard. Preferably, you want your closer to make his pitches a blur to tiring hitters late in games, and Soriano does that along with something even more impressive: He throws hard, and he throws strikes.
Despite that little slump, Soriano finished last season with 70 strikeouts and just 15 walks during his 72 innings.
And did I mention the right-handed Soriano is as potent against left-handed hitters (.164) as he is against righties (.197)?
So here’s good news for the choppers and the chanters: Soriano will be the anti-Bob Wickman, both in girth and in productivity.
Permalink | Comments (30) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore
Comments
By The Grinch
October 30, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
For once I agree with you, TM.
By Matt the Brave
October 30, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this
Wow, you amaze me when you do baseball stories. I actually agree with you on this one. Please just stick to baseball instead of saying that Georgia was wrong by storming the field.
By woodie
October 30, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this
The Red Sox rule!
By Robert S
October 30, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this
I like Soriano’s poise. I like his stuff. I think he’ll do fine, and once Mike Gonzalez returns from his surgery, and the Braves keep the status quo in the bullpen (Moylan, Acosta, Mahay, Ring, and an up-and-coming Joey Devine) they will be positvely scary in the bullpen.
But this time, scary is good……
By TBurns
October 30, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
Is Soriano an option in the rotation for the ‘09 season if Gonzales comes back strong this season and the Braves can lock him up beyond next year?
By rick
October 30, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this
Still scares me. Looks reminds me of Marvin Freeman. ughhgh
By David
October 31, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
Mahay filed for free agency and is unlikely to return to Atlanta. He’s scared of playing on a contender. He’s used to being in Tejas. Soriano scares me to death. Why not Peter Moylan? He has nasty stuff late in a game. Joey Devine may develop into the closer we hoped he would be with “divine” help.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
October 31, 2007 1:36 AM | Link to this
Soriano is at the top of a very deep and talented bullpen. Agreed Terence. And yes , the conduct of Mark Richt and the football team was uncalled for. If that is what it takes for Richt to motivate his players , he is selling himself and the University of Georgia short.
By Hugh
October 31, 2007 4:00 AM | Link to this
I kind of assumed that you would say the Braves need all black players, coaches and front office staff.
By Scott
October 31, 2007 4:25 AM | Link to this
The Braves bullpen is going to be really good next year. With the young kids back for a full year and Soriano has the stuff to close. Now go and trade for Dan Haren or Joe Blanton.
By bob
October 31, 2007 6:55 AM | Link to this
So,the rotation next year will be 41 year old Smoltz, 42 year old Glavine, Hudson, Unknown Hampton and ??? Why not try Yates or Devine as starters? WE have plenty of pitching in the bullpen and we need to start developing some young pitchers. Don’t write off Chuck James yet either. Remember Glavine had a losing record his first two years too.
By Jim
October 31, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this
There must be a blizzard in Hell….for once I agree with Terence!
By MikeJones
October 31, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this
Dont go too in depth here terence.. Wouldn’t want you to miss one of your cute little espn or wsb appearance.. “He throw hard…” Very good terence…..
By RandyB
October 31, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this
I agree and post for the first time. But we can’t banks on Hampton.
BTW Hugh, this was uncalled for! By Hugh October 31, 2007 4:00 AM | Link to this I kind of assumed that you would say the Braves need all black players, coaches and front office staff.
By T-Bone
October 31, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
T-Moore is a rock star!!
By Jeff R
October 31, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
Soriano has the tools. He just needs to keep his head in games.
By Kentavo
October 31, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
Chuck James doesn’t have a losing record.
By wolfman
October 31, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
Wow !!!!!!!………..you actually made sense for once and didn’t show your racist biggitry your so famous for. Now, apologize to Mark Richt and shut your racist mouth when it comes to your opinions of things. Tell the truth from your heart when you write your columns or move back to Ohio my man…….and bash those teams !!!!!………..Can’t stand you !!!!!
By Pitbull
October 31, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
The Red Sox rule, but Terence you are still an ignorant slut.
By bk hawk
October 31, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
Thanks Moore no Hate. Much better A-
By KC
October 31, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
“Soriano will be the anti-Bob Wickman, both in girth and in productivity.”
Niiiice.
I agree.
By Joe
October 31, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
I agree Soriano is solid but so is Mike Gonzalas. It will be a battle for the closer role in Spring traning. I’ll will be fun to watch…
By Joe
October 31, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
I agree Soriano is solid but so is Mike Gonzalas. It will be a battle for the closer role in Spring traning. I’ll be fun to watch…
By Stuart
October 31, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
Soriano will be fine as a closer, but Gonzalez might be better. The best thing the braves have going for them is that if Gonzalez comes back, the braves have a BEAST of a bullpen. Soriano, Gonzalez?, Moylan, Acosta, Mahay?, and 2 TBD. WATCH OUT NOW!!! That is a lineup that gets me excited.
By DonCoburleone
October 31, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
I like Soriano as a closer next season as well. Only one thing last year worried me about him: He throws too many fastballs. He needs to change it up more and try to keep hitters off-balance. During that awful run in the middle of the season I noticed guys were just sitting on his fastball; and when he missed on location, even a little bit, they’d hit it out of the park. He needs to recognize when he is not locating his fastball well and open up his repotoire… Other than the occassional 2 out HR with a 1 run lead in the 9th, I think he will be excellent for us next season. The bullpen is the least of my worries for 2008…
By richbrave
October 31, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
Did Mr. Soriano go into a snit during his mid-season swoon? Who know’s what he came to expect while negotiations proceeded to bring him to Atlanta? And when he arrives, Wickman in given preference over his obvious talents? I’ve never believed that despite the money and acclaim, professionals aren’t human too. After proving he is a capable player and being rebuffed in the closer role, possibly he held second thoughts about coming to the Braves. To some folks eighth inning work is NOT ninth inning work, and pride can be a devious thing. Apparantly as Wickman had a melt-down Soriano’s equilibrium returned as Cox turned to him in desperation. He’s a talant that -if managed well- will perform superbly. Next year, if Mike G. comes back strong, the left-right combo should give Bobby fantastic versatility at end-of-game moves.
By jack
October 31, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
Like most, I like Soriano in the bullpen. Mike Gonzo may be even better; let`s all pray he can come back strong. And Moylan….YES! Work on 2 starters, CF, sign Tex, and leave the Dawgs alone. Coach too!
By Corey
October 31, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
Soriano is good. I like Moylan even better. If the payroll budget goes up significantly I would like to see them sign Francisco Cordero, Mariano Rivera or Joe Borowski.
By Johnny
October 31, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
Soriano has a long ways to go to even be mentioned with the great John Smoltz. Fast ball down the middle of the plate. Oh my going going gone. Braves lose another one run game.
By JesseJ
November 1, 2007 2:15 AM | Link to this
Yes suh>>dat mister soriano sho is black>>yes suh, sho is>>@ss sho nuff is black enuff to play fo dem braves>>yes suh>>