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Smoltz Plans To Pitch From Pen
Written by Colin on May 1, 2008 – 5:45 amThe AJC is reporting that John Smoltz said in a text message Wednesday that he doesn’t think he can handle starting for the Braves and plans to return as a reliever.
Here’s the quote:
“I am planning on coming back as a reliever first, and more than likely for the rest of this year.”
Can the Braves’ rotation handle Smoltz being in the ‘pen? Sure, it’ll stabilize things out there, but what becomes of starting pitching? Do we have to just cross our fingers and hope Jo-Jo Reyes can hold it together at a big league level? Who picks up the slack?
Can we take it? What do you think?
Tags: Bullpen, John Smoltz
Posted in Injuries | 11 Comments »
By Jonathan on May 1, 2008 | Reply
I’m looking at the guys that this leaves us as starters:
- Tim Hudson
- Jair Jurrjens
- Tom Glavine
- Chuck James
- Jeff Bennett
- Buddy Carlyle
- Jo-Jo Reyes
I’m a little scared b.c those bottom 4 guys struggle a lot at times. I don’t know, my verdict’s still out. I’d love to see Smoltz as a starter, but I’m wondering if the bullpen is the only way I’ll get to see him with the Braves for the option on his contract in 2009. I just don’t want to see him retire….ever.
By Jonathan on May 1, 2008 | Reply
And now that I think about it, Hudson’s struggling a lot lately as well…..and yes, I intentionally left Mike Hampton off of this list. He’s never starting, folks. That’s all there is to it.
By Colin on May 1, 2008 | Reply
Yeah this isn’t looking pretty. Jurrjens is the most stable piece of the rotation so far – Huddy has had control and speed issues in his last couple starts. Hampton shouldn’t be on the list, and Glavine concerns me.
If I have to see Smoltz out of the ‘pen instead of on the mound to start the games, I won’t be happy about it, but I’ll deal. It’ll be like old times hearing AC/DC kicking in at the beginning of the 9th.
By Jonathan on May 1, 2008 | Reply
If only our team would be able to present him with save opportunities………….
By Shaun on May 1, 2008 | Reply
Well, we get a chance to see if Jo Jo Reyes is a little more big league ready this spring than last fall. He’s been tearing it up in Richmond and has already notched a couple W’s in the bigs so maybe we can dispense with the nerves this time around.
The real key to our rotation right now is Huddy. He’s got to snap this little skid.
By Jonathan on May 2, 2008 | Reply
I doubt it…..he looked pretty bad in spring training.
By Brock on May 2, 2008 | Reply
I know it means trouble for our starting rotation, but I love the idea of having Smoltz back as the closer.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I'm looking at the guys that this leaves us as starters:
- Tim Hudson
- Jair Jurrjens
- Tom Glavine
- Chuck James
- Jeff Bennett
- Buddy Carlyle
- Jo-Jo Reyes
I'm a little scared b.c those bottom 4 guys struggle a lot at times. I don't know, my verdict's still out. I'd love to see Smoltz as a starter, but I'm wondering if the bullpen is the only way I'll get to see him with the Braves for the option on his contract in 2009. I just don't want to see him retire….ever.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
And now that I think about it, Hudson's struggling a lot lately as well…..and yes, I intentionally left Mike Hampton off of this list. He's never starting, folks. That's all there is to it.
By Colin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Yeah this isn't looking pretty. Jurrjens is the most stable piece of the rotation so far – Huddy has had control and speed issues in his last couple starts. Hampton shouldn't be on the list, and Glavine concerns me.
If I have to see Smoltz out of the 'pen instead of on the mound to start the games, I won't be happy about it, but I'll deal. It'll be like old times hearing AC/DC kicking in at the beginning of the 9th.
By Shaun on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Well, we get a chance to see if Jo Jo Reyes is a little more big league ready this spring than last fall. He's been tearing it up in Richmond and has already notched a couple W's in the bigs so maybe we can dispense with the nerves this time around.
The real key to our rotation right now is Huddy. He's got to snap this little skid.