Loading ...
This “Rotation” Scares Me
Written by Colin on May 18, 2008 – 11:46 pmThis rotation can’t win the division.
There, I said it. With John Smoltz and his bum shoulder pushing him to the bullpen (hopefully if he can heal), our starting rotation looks a wee bit tattered. Think I’m kidding? Take a look at the starting rotation. Hudson has been the Ace so far, with six wins. Jurrjens has been great with four wins and 41 strikeouts in eight starts. And then we have Glavine, who is better than his record shows, deserving better than a 1-1 record, but concerning with a 4.41 ERA and a 1-1 strikeout to walk ratio.
Past that, it’s not a rotation. It’s a random weekly game of bingo that decides between Chuck James, Jo-Jo Reyes, and Jeff Bennett and they rotate out as soon as one of them sucks it up. And it’s not something that will let us compete into September. At least Chuck’s out of the consideration for now, but that just leaves room for another Joe Somebody to try.
We had depth, supposedly. But Smoltz has had shoulder issues – and he’s had those sporadically at the end of the season in seasons past. And I can’t even discuss what happened to Hampton without feeling like I’d be suggesting he could heal. And until he proves me wrong, I won’t believe it’s a possibility. But can we make it to September? I’m doubtful. Something has to be done.
Sure, we’re first in the league in ERA and BAA, and second in OPS allowed and third in WHIP, but does that mean jack diddly when we have three starters? It won’t last long, I tell you. We’ll miss Smoltz as long as his shoulder keeps him pitching two innings late in the game. We need a strong starter. And unless Jo-Jo Reyes can keep it up and start pitching like he pitches in AAA ball, where there’s less pressure, or Jeff Bennett turns a page for the rest of the season, we’ll be a team with three consistent starters and two fillers. It concerns me.
Do we make a move? We have tons of young outfielders in the minor league system. Do we bring up Charlie Morton from AAA and see if he is ready for the big time? I’m just an armchair GM, sure, but I’m not the only one in Atlanta who is a little concerned about our rotation.
Tags: Charlie Morton, Chuck James, Jair Jurrjens, Jeff Bennett, Jo-Jo Reyes, John Smoltz, Mike Hampton, Tim Hudson, Tom Glavine
Posted in General | 25 Comments »
By Smitty on May 19, 2008 | Reply
Starting to feel a bit like last year, when we had only two guys (Smoltz & Hudson) we could count on and the rest was a crap shoot.
Amazingly, the bullpen has really stepped up. Allowing no runs in 16 innings, right?
Jo-Jo makes me nervous as a cat every time I see him start, but perhaps he has turned a corner.
Still, even if he is up-to-snuff, it’s him, Hudson, and a shakey Glavine.
Question. Is Jeff Bennett a consideration for the rotation?
By Smitty on May 19, 2008 | Reply
Sorry. And Jurjjens, of course.
By Josh on May 19, 2008 | Reply
I think we have to make a trade. Its just going to be hard to get someone decent with out selling the farm. starting pitching is hard to come by right now. Clemens is available… lmao
Go braves
By Jonathan on May 19, 2008 | Reply
I agree, Josh. The biggest thing is going to be finding a worthwhile pitcher that isn’t going to cost us everything we have.
I mean, we’re holding together with our frankensteined pitching staff right now, but it can’t hold together like this forever. I’d say we’re fortunate to still be only a couple games out in the division at this point.
By Eric on May 19, 2008 | Reply
I don’t know of anyone out there we could acquire in a fair deal that would actually help. Tex will most certainly leave after this season and we’ll have a hole at first on top of a thin rotation.
By Smitty on May 19, 2008 | Reply
AJC is espousing considerationg of trading Tex or Francoeur for a pitcher.
Hard to imagine the Braves without Jeffrey.
By Jonathan on May 19, 2008 | Reply
I don’t see them tossing Francoeur aside for a pitcher….I can see them dealing Tex if times get hard though.
By Jason on May 20, 2008 | Reply
I don’t see the point in trading Tex. He’s a notorious late-starter and it’s only a matter of time before he heats up. Once he gets going, it’s two dangerous switch hitters in the middle of the lineup. Besides, even if he is a rental, we have him for this year which is probably the best chance we have to win a championship in the near future. I think we should wait and see how Smoltz turns out, because if he can close, and either Soriano or Gonzalez make it back to good health, that is a scary good bullpen.
Reyes looks like he will be what chuck james was last year, a guy who can give 5 good innings but require lots of bullpen help, which we have.
Finally, we can hope Hampton can make it back, but barring that miracle, maybe trade for a 4th guy with either Brandon Jones or Frenchy as bait.
It doesn’t look great, but with a little luck, I think this season could still be one for the ages. What I’m really most worried about is hitters figuring out Jurrjens, even though I do love the kid.
By Colin on May 20, 2008 | Reply
I could see them moving Tex. That’d leave a hole to fill offensively (if he ever really gets going), but we need another starting pitcher.
On Jeff, it’s interesting that the Braves haven’t offered him a long-term contract. With so much young outfield talent, I could see them trading him if they think he’s expendable. It’d upset some fans for sure, as I wrote in this article – http://www.bravesblast.com/2008/01/17/mailbag-too-many-outfielders/ – we have so much young outfield talent that I see that as the most likely source of trade bait. It may not be Francoeur, it may be one of the prospects.
The other option I see is Lillibridge or Escobar. It’s pretty clear that Lillibridge isn’t ready for the bigs yet, so I think he’s more likely out of those two. That said, they think Lillibridge will be ready in a couple years and that’s the other position we’ve got true depth at throughout the organization.
By Josh on May 20, 2008 | Reply
I would be more willing to trade Frenchy than Escobar. I have a feeling he is going to be a real star! I love jeff, but i cant put him over our shortstop right now. We have to just wait and see how this series with the mets and d-backs play out. This will be a true test for our club right now. If the Braves can stay with in 6 to 10 games till the deadline TEX is staying till the end of the year.
By Jonathan on May 20, 2008 | Reply
I’ve got it figured out. We trade Chuck James, another batting practice pitcher, and $43 for a star starter…….
Ok, kidding aside.
I still have a hard time seeing the Braves trade Frenchie. After Chipper, he’s a fan-favorite by far. I agree with Josh as well…..I don’t see them moving Escobar at all, though it has been mentioned in the past that he’d be good trade bait. I’d just as soon trade our prospects for the position rather than Yunel who is quickly proving himself.
Jason, don’t count on Mike Hampton for anything. That’s a frustrating battle that you’ll just never win.
It’ll be interesting to see how this pans out. Right now, I’m still on for bringing up Morton and giving him a chance.
By Josh on May 20, 2008 | Reply
wow ,i really dont want to be at work today. I think im feeling ill and some baseball this afternoon might make me feel better.
By Colin on May 20, 2008 | Reply
Josh, take it from a man who is not yet working this summer. Not being at work is amazing.
I don’t think they’ll actually trade Escobar. Lillibridge is more likely to go than Yunel is. Same with Francoeur – the prospects are more likely to go than the man himself.
I’m with Jonathan, don’t count on Hampton for anything. I feel sorry for the guy, really.
Morton may help. But I’m looking forward to seeing Campillo start later today.
By Jonathan on May 20, 2008 | Reply
On that note, pair of tickets to game 1 today to anyone that can swing by my office and pick them up (10 minutes to Turner).
I’m interested to see Campillo today as well. He’ll probably only go 5 (75 pitches is his goal) so the bullpen needs to keep it up.
By mark on May 21, 2008 | Reply
it is unthinkable to even suggest tradeing francour or tex. Frenchy is on of the top young players in the game he will be an allstar player an tex in a lock to hit over 30 bombs and 100 rbi. you can’t consider trading those types of players. i know it’s a walk year for tex but if you take frency or tex out of this linup we will go from in the top 5 in hitting in the NL to about 10th or worse because you is going to back up chipper or brian who can’t catcher every game. they are also gold glove winners only way you would be able to trade either of them two would be if tyler flowers or Jason hayward were ready for the majors this season and there not. As for the rotation we have an ace in hudson, a quality 3 starter in glavine and he have a star in the making in jurjjens. we need to be worried about jiar later in the season because he was never pitch those many innings before and if jo jo can fill in the fourth or fifth spot in the rotation then we are one starter short we could plug in morton when he is ready but until then i am pretty sure the fifth starter going to be campillo and if we can get anything out of hampton if he is a 3rd, 4th or 5th starter or a long reliever it s a plus. We should be fine without having to trade any prospects for a 3 starter.
By Smitty on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Starting to feel a bit like last year, when we had only two guys (Smoltz & Hudson) we could count on and the rest was a crap shoot.
Amazingly, the bullpen has really stepped up. Allowing no runs in 16 innings, right?
Jo-Jo makes me nervous as a cat every time I see him start, but perhaps he has turned a corner.
Still, even if he is up-to-snuff, it's him, Hudson, and a shakey Glavine.
Question. Is Jeff Bennett a consideration for the rotation?
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I agree, Josh. The biggest thing is going to be finding a worthwhile pitcher that isn't going to cost us everything we have.
I mean, we're holding together with our frankensteined pitching staff right now, but it can't hold together like this forever. I'd say we're fortunate to still be only a couple games out in the division at this point.
By Eric on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I don't know of anyone out there we could acquire in a fair deal that would actually help. Tex will most certainly leave after this season and we'll have a hole at first on top of a thin rotation.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I don't see them tossing Francoeur aside for a pitcher….I can see them dealing Tex if times get hard though.
By Jason on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I don't see the point in trading Tex. He's a notorious late-starter and it's only a matter of time before he heats up. Once he gets going, it's two dangerous switch hitters in the middle of the lineup. Besides, even if he is a rental, we have him for this year which is probably the best chance we have to win a championship in the near future. I think we should wait and see how Smoltz turns out, because if he can close, and either Soriano or Gonzalez make it back to good health, that is a scary good bullpen.
Reyes looks like he will be what chuck james was last year, a guy who can give 5 good innings but require lots of bullpen help, which we have.
Finally, we can hope Hampton can make it back, but barring that miracle, maybe trade for a 4th guy with either Brandon Jones or Frenchy as bait.
It doesn't look great, but with a little luck, I think this season could still be one for the ages. What I'm really most worried about is hitters figuring out Jurrjens, even though I do love the kid.
By Colin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I could see them moving Tex. That'd leave a hole to fill offensively (if he ever really gets going), but we need another starting pitcher.
On Jeff, it's interesting that the Braves haven't offered him a long-term contract. With so much young outfield talent, I could see them trading him if they think he's expendable. It'd upset some fans for sure, as I wrote in this article – http://www.bravesblast.com/2008/01/17/mailbag-too-many-outfielders/ – we have so much young outfield talent that I see that as the most likely source of trade bait. It may not be Francoeur, it may be one of the prospects.
The other option I see is Lillibridge or Escobar. It's pretty clear that Lillibridge isn't ready for the bigs yet, so I think he's more likely out of those two. That said, they think Lillibridge will be ready in a couple years and that's the other position we've got true depth at throughout the organization.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I've got it figured out. We trade Chuck James, another batting practice pitcher, and $43 for a star starter…….
Ok, kidding aside.
I still have a hard time seeing the Braves trade Frenchie. After Chipper, he's a fan-favorite by far. I agree with Josh as well…..I don't see them moving Escobar at all, though it has been mentioned in the past that he'd be good trade bait. I'd just as soon trade our prospects for the position rather than Yunel who is quickly proving himself.
Jason, don't count on Mike Hampton for anything. That's a frustrating battle that you'll just never win.
It'll be interesting to see how this pans out. Right now, I'm still on for bringing up Morton and giving him a chance.
By Colin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Josh, take it from a man who is not yet working this summer. Not being at work is amazing.
I don't think they'll actually trade Escobar. Lillibridge is more likely to go than Yunel is. Same with Francoeur – the prospects are more likely to go than the man himself.
I'm with Jonathan, don't count on Hampton for anything. I feel sorry for the guy, really.
Morton may help. But I'm looking forward to seeing Campillo start later today.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
On that note, pair of tickets to game 1 today to anyone that can swing by my office and pick them up (10 minutes to Turner).
I'm interested to see Campillo today as well. He'll probably only go 5 (75 pitches is his goal) so the bullpen needs to keep it up.
By mark on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
it is unthinkable to even suggest tradeing francour or tex. Frenchy is on of the top young players in the game he will be an allstar player an tex in a lock to hit over 30 bombs and 100 rbi. you can't consider trading those types of players. i know it's a walk year for tex but if you take frency or tex out of this linup we will go from in the top 5 in hitting in the NL to about 10th or worse because you is going to back up chipper or brian who can't catcher every game. they are also gold glove winners only way you would be able to trade either of them two would be if tyler flowers or Jason hayward were ready for the majors this season and there not. As for the rotation we have an ace in hudson, a quality 3 starter in glavine and he have a star in the making in jurjjens. we need to be worried about jiar later in the season because he was never pitch those many innings before and if jo jo can fill in the fourth or fifth spot in the rotation then we are one starter short we could plug in morton when he is ready but until then i am pretty sure the fifth starter going to be campillo and if we can get anything out of hampton if he is a 3rd, 4th or 5th starter or a long reliever it s a plus. We should be fine without having to trade any prospects for a 3 starter.