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Mailbag: 5th Starter?
Written by Colin on February 13, 2009 – 9:41 amWe’ve been getting quite a few Mailbag submissions and have assigned them to writers. They’ll get published soon. Please continue to offer Suggestions using the tab to your left or filling out the Mailbag form.
Tim wrote the BravesBlast mailbag with the following question:
Hi guys…I’ve just about had it with Mark Bowman over at MLB.com. His latest post about his projected rotation has Jo Jo Reyes penciled in as the 5th starter. What I want to know is this: What is he seeing that I’m missing? Reyes was by far our worst option last year. Why wouldn’t you use Campillo or even Morton in the 5 spot? Thanks and great site!
Thanks for the submission, Tim. First of all, I think the majority of the BravesBlast staff would puke if Reyes was flat-out awarded the fifth rotation spot. Sure, he’s got a chance at winning it, but only if all goes wrong. Obviously Lowe/Jurrjens/Vazquez/Kawakami are the first four pitchers in the 5-man rotation. Let’s take a look at the fifth rotation spot options.
Jorge Campillo is the first and best option that’s on the roster right now. Campillo has been likened to Greg Maddux and doesn’t have super impressive speed – but he has control going for him. Last year, he stepped into the rotation and impressed with an 8-7 record with a 3.91 ERA. And that was WITH that horrible luck the Braves had last year. Campillo is my top pick. If he doesn’t make the rotation, our bullpen is THAT much deeper with Campillo as the long reliever.
Tom Glavine isn’t even an option until he’s on the roster. He’s supposedly the guy that would trump the other candidates for the position – and he’s good – but do we really need to pay $3-5M for a fifth starter? We *could* sign Glavine, but I’m not sure we need to.
Charlie Morton may not be ready for the bigs, but he’ll get a chance to try and prove he’s ready. He’s 25 and young – and didn’t have the best luck in the big leagues last year. That said, I like Morton and as he matures I think he’ll be a decent 4th or 5th starter.
Jo-Jo Reyes is not a good option. He’s just not. I’m sorry, but when I mentioned to Jonathan that I was writing this article, he said the following about Jo-Jo. “Give me Campillo, or anyone but Jo-Jo, please. I can’t spend another part of a season not watching every 5th game just because I know I’ll get angry.” That about sums Jo-Jo up. He also drives a Toyota Previa. Ok probably not, but it’s a long-standing joke amongst the crew here.
James Parr is a longshot. He went 1-0 in 5 starts with a 4.84 ERA last fall. He could make the rotation if everyone else flounders and he shines in spring training. Otherwise he spends at least the beginning of the year in Richmond.
Tommy Hanson is more likely to make the rotation in the middle of the season. I’d prefer him take his time before he gets to Atlanta – I want him to absolutely stun batters once he’s here. I’m looking forward to seeing him but don’t want to rush him. The sneak preview in Spring Training will be nice.
So there you have it – the main contenders for the 5th rotation slot. Discuss.
Tags: Charlie Morton, James Parr, Jo-Jo Reyes, Jorge Campillo, Tom Glavine, Tommy Hanson
Posted in General, Mailbag, Speculation | 19 Comments »
By Jonathan on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
As I said, I'm all for Campillo. He was enjoyable to watch last season and I know he has what it takes to fill the spot.
Down the road, for someone, somewhere, maybe Jo-Jo will have what it takes. I even gave him extra chances last season. He came back, looked decent for a couple of starts and then it was right back to the same old thing.
By Jeff on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
I agree, I think Campillo is the best option. He was a nice surprise last year. I think the experience of last year helped along with maybe some easier matchups being the 5th starter. The last person I want to see pitch a lot of innings is Jo-Jo Reyes.
By bengoodfella on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
Unless Jo-Jo has figured out how to pitch in the major leagues, I think Campillo is the best option. As far as signing Glavine at all, I am pretty torn on whether the Braves should sign him but there will most likely be some sort of injury to one of the pitching staff this year and he is not a bad backup option, but he is old.
By Pat from Bravescasr on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
I agree that Campillo is the best option if Glavine does not sign and also agree about Bowman's recent post. This is the guy who said the Braves would never sign Lowe. He was also the guy who had put Vazquez as the opening day starter before the moves and last I saw he thinks he will be before both Jurjens, and Kawakamia in the rotation. The guy barely has a winning record in his carrer.
By Pat from bravescast on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
Sorry i still fired up about Bowman. I just looked over that post again, and why would Josh Anderson be the 8th place hitter if he is our everyday center fielder? He is not only the fastest base runner on the team and adds an element we have not had in a few years, but also has no problem making contact. The record hit streak in the minors should prove that from last year. Does anyone else agree he should lead off? Why would Yunel be the leadoff hitter?
By Colin Ake on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
Yeah, I'd like to see Anderson first and Yunel second. From there it all depends on whether or not we sign a cleanup hitter as to how the rest of the lineup comes out. The reason they may throw Yunel first is his higher OBP, and his splits show he bats better in first or third than second in the order. Maybe if we don't sign a cleanup hitter, do Anderson / Johnson / Escobar for the first three and then Chipper and McCann after that. We'll see what happens.
By Keith on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
That could very well be the order…..now that all the possible cleanup hitters are taken. Chipper will certainly be seeing some time in the 4 hole. Look for Brian to spend time there as well (depending on who's pitching and what's working) Fact is we are ALL guilty of guessing what the lineup wll look like. Bobby will use so many different combinations. With that being said, there will only be a few options at cleanup. Jeff could see SOME time in that spot, provded he rebounds.
By Keith on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
I think it is great to see the many options we have for the fifth starter. Last year we suffered so many injuries that we had nearly an entire staff of #5 starters and/or guys who shouldn't have been on the team. We had no options.
Since we have lost out on just about everyone worthy of playing left field, I bet the Braves do come to terms with Glavine. It might not be such a bad idea given the staff's past injuries and Glavine's motivation to end his career on a good note. I want him to earn the spot and not be given the position because of who he is. This is the part that scares me because the one weakness Bobby has is being to loyal to his former stars. This is why I was pleased to Andrew sign with the Rangers.
By Brent on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
Maybe people forget that Campillo, along with Jurrjens, was one of the biggest bright spots last year but I don't. Campillo should have this spot wrapped up in my opinion.
By Larry on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
I think Jo-Jo got the nod because we don't have a lefty. Thats the first thing I thought of when I saw his rotation. Unless Glavine signs, Reyes will have that advantage over the others. I don't agree with it and I think Campillo is the best option but to me thats why Reyes got the nod instead of Campillo. Just another way to look at it.
By RueGrant on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
I don't like the statistics on Escobar's place at batting second. I am a numbers girl, as you very well know, and I really don't think that there is a strong RELEVANT correlation between a downturn in performance based on placement. Statistically, yes, there is a correlation factor, but the fact of the matter is that his performance was consistent in one place, which does not account for alternative variables to make this "spot" a statistically "weaker" spot. What I'm ultimately saying is that baseball statisticians just throw out numbers, the true meaning of those numbers is not necessarily definitive. Therefore, my vote goes to the Anderson/Escobar/Johnson lineup, for as much as I love KJ….
By RueGrant on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
one more thing to point out. Colin, do not EVER apologize for something you aren't sorry for. "Jo-Jo Reyes is not a good option. He’s just not. I’m sorry…." No, you aren't sorry, and you should not be sorry for your correct opinion. The only thing you should be sorry about is that we are actually legitimately considering him as a 5th starter. That is a sorry statement in itself.
By Colin Ake on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
My point is that I'm sorry that people think he's a 5th starter. I'm also sorry you're such a nitpicker, you nitpicker.
By dave on Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
Jo-Jo is the one young guy I am not enthused about, I wish I could be because we need a lefty that can start for us. I think we need to sign Glavine for this reason. Jo-Jo if I remember correctly from last year would not listen to Smoltz or Glavine when he was struggling with his pitching. For a young guy that will take advice from two future hall of famers needs some more time in the minors, and get his head on straight. We need Glavine to break up all the right hand pitching we have. If healthy I believe he is still very capable of winning 10-12 games. If we don't sign Tom I vote for Campillo as the 5th starter Morton is my next choice. I like both of them, ain't it great to have some pitching depth. Just think come August or September we have Tim Hudson coming back, and sometime this year if not from the start we have a guy named Hanson. When you think about it things look pretty good. Best Wishes And GO BRAVES.
By Keith on Feb 14, 2009 | Reply
I think the latest offer to Glavine is great. It looks like we will go with what we have in our system as a solution to left. One Million for sure and up to 5 million in incentives. Here's there thinking: If he achieves all of the goals then this will be great news for the Braves otherwise, they are only out 1 million. After the first couple of months they should know how much they may have to pay him. If he fails, then the Braves have the money freed to make a possible mid season trade for left field. Then again, maybe someone in our system steps and shines. If he is sucessful in achieving all goals the the Braves will likely have a chance this season.
By dave on Feb 14, 2009 | Reply
I think signing Tom Glavine would be a big plus for the Braves. I think we need to give spring training a chance to see what develops with the outfield questions. IF it doesn't work out I'm sure Swisher, and Nady will still be there if a trade is necessary. I wonder if Frank Wren is thinking the same thing, with the money situation like it is. I hope Jeff ,and Kelly can avoid arbitration. I think it would create more unity between them and management. GO BRAVES
By Bud on Feb 14, 2009 | Reply
Hi folks, and happy first day of spring to one and all.
I was stunned to see Bowman put Reyes in the fifth spot. Maybe he did so just because there was doubt about Glavine signing (I think that will happen now, with the talk of deferring the incentive money).
Jo-Jo had some pretty decent starts from mid-May to mid-June, then totally went off the side of the cliff. He does have good stuff, but mentally, he just isn't tough enough to grind out six innings when he doesn't have his best stuff. I would have listed Campillo as the fifth starter without Glavine in the fold, but that's just me.
With Glavine, you've got a very good, very deep rotation that can get games to the sixth and seventh and eighth consistently, saving the bullpen. In my mind, Campillo is the long reliever/spot starter if Glavine signs, with Morton and Reyes and Parr and Hanson going to Gwinnett to start the season.
Will be interesting to see how the bullpen shakes out, who steps up in center field, if Frenchy circa 2005-2007 can reemerge, and if Diaz circa 2006-2007 comes back. If so, the Bravos got a shot to win what's going to be a very competitive and very good division.
Bud.
http://braves.today.com
By Larry on Feb 14, 2009 | Reply
There is a couple teams that have crowded outfields we could check into. The Nats, Angels and Tigers. The Tigers seem willing to part with Thames. Hes got good power.
By Brent on Feb 15, 2009 | Reply
It looks pretty clear we ARE going to get Glavine now. The fact that he wanted a contract laced with incentives involving him pitching a lot this season makes me think he is going to be able to throw a lot of innings.