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To Glavine Or Not To Glavine
Written by Colin on January 18, 2009 – 10:48 amJohn Smoltz left for the Red Sox. Hampton left for Houston. The Braves signed Lowe and Kawakami, and traded for Vazquez. Jurrjens has a slot in the rotation, and Campillo and Morton are among those who will battle it out for the fifth spot… Where does Tom Glavine fit in?
In short – right now, he doesn’t. At least not in my mind. Glavine just pitched off a mound Friday for the first time since having surgery and feels good. The AJC says he wants to return to the Braves but won’t talk contract until he’s healthy enough to pitch. But where would the Braves put Glavine? The rotation is chock full of people who should be pretty healthy inning-eaters. Campillo may get bumped to the ‘pen, which looks to be decent this year (Gonzo, Acosta, Moylan should return, Soriano will hopefully not suck, and hopefully Will Ohman, to name a few) – and the ‘pen may get less work because of more stable starters.
Where does Glavine fit in? I’m not sure. Unless someone gets injured (let’s hope not), I don’t see Glavine in a role with the Braves this season. He’s a nice enough guy, but I wouldn’t give him a contract out of loyalty like Smoltz… and the Braves have proven already this offseason they don’t award contracts based off of loyalty to the club. Not to mention Glavine left us for the Mets of all people for a few years.
I don’t know if Glavine fits in with the Braves this year. I know he wants to come back, but I don’t see a place for him currently. If we won’t go sign Ben Sheets, why would we sign Glavine?
Do you feel differently?
Tags: Braves Shouldn't Sign Glavine, Rotation, Tom Glavine
Posted in General | 14 Comments »
By jadarm on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
I have been wondering about that myself. The top four slots are definately filled. Now, if Glavine is healthy and can pitch like he did for the first 80% of the season for the Mets in 07' then its a no brainer…and the Braves will indeed have one of the deepest rotations in the game.
It will probably come down to dollars and $ense. Tommy doesnt have much to bargain with at the moment…unless he wants to dangle an offer from a different team over Wrens head. In that case I think Wren will let him go. If, however, Tommy is willing to take an incentive based conctract (much like the one offered to Smoltz) then I think there is a good chance that he will remain in Atlanta.
I think its Tommy's call at this point.
I wouldnt even think about Sheets at this point. Our rotation is deep enough that he is not worth the risk. I would rather see that money go to a power outfield bat or a leadoff capable outfield bat.
By Ben on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
I think the Braves almost need to bring back Glavine. Right now they would have an all right-handed rotation. That isn't exactly the best idea but it is what they have right now. The pitchers they have are solid, they just need to have a lefty in there somewhere.
By Larry312 on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
I think Glavine is almost a neccessity. The teams ahead of us (Phillies and Mets) have strong left handed bats. Especially with the Phillies, Ibanez, Howard and Utley, and turning Rollins around to the right side is a good thing. The mets have Delgado and switchies Reyes and Beltran. Personally I think we need a left handed Pitcher. If not i think the job goes to Campillo. He looked good last year. Reyes and Morton are busts. Morton cant keep his cool on the mound. He said so himself. If not Glavine then def. Campillo until Hanson is ready.
By Jonathan on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
I agree with you there. I've made no attempt to hide my feelings about Jo-Jo. Morton just isn't ready….
By RueGrant on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
I"m with you, Colin. I don't think Glavine is the answer. Not in the slightest. Maybe for nostalgia's sake, but for nothing else, especially after the injury.
By C-Lo on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
You can never have enough pitching! I don't buy the "I don't know where he'll fit" argument. Remember last year when most of our rotation was injured? We need all the pitching help we can get. If it means putting Campillo/Morton/Reyes in the 'pen or in AAA, that's fine. But, don't forget there are injuries in baseball.
By Larry312 on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
It was his first trip to the DL in his career. Saying hes not worth signing because of that is like saying Peavy was a dumb idea because he had an elbow problem. Glavine has been consistent his whole career. One injury and you all are ready to throw him to the wolves. Point blank they need a lefty. Es[ecially a veteran leader like Glavine.
By Colin Ake on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
They need a lefty, sure. Injury isn't my main concern – I want to see our young pitching talent developed and feel a staff of old guys isn't the way to do that. I see the argument for Glav too, I just think it's a stretch to fit him in.
By Colin Ake on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
I also remember last year we had Smoltz, Glavine, and Hampton as staples in the rotation. None of the guys had a good year as far as their health went. Now, Glav isn't normally injured. That said, Kawakami, Lowe, and Vazquez are generally pretty healthy and should eat up a TON of innings. I don't think we need to worry about injury as much with those guys as we did with Smoltz and Hampton on the staff. If we don't pay Glavine much, I'm fine with it. But if he wants a $10M contract, no thank you.
By Larry312 on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
I agree that he doesn't deserve a big contract. I think he was under an 8 mil last year. I think the priority is Ohman if his price drops, 4 mil is a lot to pay for a lefty specialist. If Glav will except around a 3 mil a year contract plus incentive I'm good with the sign. He'll only do one year anyway. Hanson wont be up til late in the season and will prob serve in the pen and spot start like David Price did for the Rays. I see more of a problem in '10 then I do now. We have 4 starters under contract with Hudson coming back in '10 ( I read somewhere that they have full intentions on picking up the option). What will be done with Hanson then? What scares me about Hanson is we heard similar remarks about Morton and hes looking like a bust. Any thoughts on that?
By Jereme on Jan 20, 2009 | Reply
Tom Glavine…Last year before the season startedI caught so much harassment from the guys saying that I wasn't excited about the RETURN OF GLAVINE. He was old, he imploaded with the mets and I just had a feeling he wasn't going to be old Glavine. Well I was right but looking at this year I feel he may have something to offer. I wasn't comfortable with putting him as a main starter last year, but this year with our rotation could you imagine a team looking at the rotation and knowing that they have him as the fifth starter. I think it would protect him and his aging arm and shoulder. I also think you slide Campillo into the bullpen in a long relief role and if anything goes wrong with Glavine you bring Campillo in. Campillo did start out in the bullpen last year if you remember. I say give glavine a chance at say 2.5 million, with a heavy incentive based contract. What do you think?
By Larry312 on Jan 20, 2009 | Reply
I 100 percent agree with everything you said. I believe a lefty in the rotation is a must have for the braves this year.
By Jonathan on Jan 20, 2009 | Reply
I've said it a few times before, I'd love to see Campillo in long relief. I think he would be great at eating up lost innings when a starter just has one of those days. I'm still uncertain on Glavine either way, but agree that a lefty arm in the rotation is going to be necessary.
By dave on Jan 21, 2009 | Reply
i think Glavine if he is healthy would be great. we need a lefty , but at a reasonable price. we have so much farm talent that needs a chance to play in the majors soon. i think signing Will for the pen is a must. Alanta with all the great new talent they have obtained does have some hard decisions, but what a great position to be in. may god bless us all.