5 Keys to 2008 Bullpen Success

Written by Colin on February 9, 2008 – 11:35 am

In order for the Braves to recapture the division title this year, the bullpen is going to have to be better than it was last year. With closer issues and health issues throughout the core of their bullpen, the Braves had a bit of a rough year in 2007. Now BravesBlast presents 5 Keys to 2008 Bullpen Success.

#1 - Rafael Soriano is lights out as closer.
Soriano is hopefully the power pitcher the Braves need in the closer role. After Wickman last year, the Braves need Soriano to step into his role and be as effective all season as he was late last year. He struck out 8.75 people per 9 IP last year, coming out to 70 strikeouts in 72 innings. We need 30-40 saves out of this guy - for at least the next two years, since we just extended his contract.

#2 - Peter Moylan eats up innings - and stays effective.
Last year Moylan was a very pleasant surprise in the bullpen. 80 appearances, 90 innings pitched, and a 1.80 ERA. If we get this kind of performance again this year, Moylan emerges as one of the premier middle relievers in the game, and the Braves bullpen is in good shape.

#3 - Will Ohman fills the left-handed setup role.
Ohman is the guy expected to fill the large shoes vacated by the departure of Ron Mahay. He’s going to need to step it up as last season he appeared in 56 games, only pitched 36.3 innings, and had a 4.95 ERA. We’ll hope he can return to 2005 and 2006 levels, where he pitched 43.3 and 65.3 innings, respectively, with a 2.91 ERA in 2005, and a 4.13 ERA in 2006. The Braves’ front office likes him though - they were willing to give up Jose Ascanio.

#4 - The emergence of an effective long-reliever.
The bullpen needs someone to step into this role - be able to go 3-5 innings and give a starter a rest here and there. Ideally we’ll see Jeff Bennett, Jo-Jo Reyes, or maybe even Jair Jurrjens here, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Buddy Carlyle fill this role either.

#5 - The healthy return of Blaine Boyer and Mike Gonzalez.
Gonzalez has had some health issues in the past few seasons but when he’s healthy, he’s effective. He had a 1.59 ERA last year before he got injured, and had a 2.17 ERA in 54 appearances in 2006. He’ll return mid-season and should be the left-handed equivalent of Moylan and take some of the load off of Ohman. Boyer is healthy and ready to return, and feels good about coming out of the ‘pen - he even wrote in ChopTalk that he thinks he’ll be lights out. Boyer can eat some innings up, assuming he stays healthy - and there are no signs that he shouldn’t be able to do so.

So, there ya have it. 5 elements the Braves bullpen must have this year to be successful. Also remember that they’ll likely have less stress put on them this year because of the number of innings we’ll get out of the starting rotation - maybe even 100 more than last year, I’d say.

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