Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

[rsox]

According to the Atlanta Journal-constitution the Braves may move closer John Smoltz back into the starting rotation next season, a move Smoltz is willing to make. With Russ Ortiz and Jaret Wright free agents after the World Series the Braves may need to fill holes in the rotation, and they need someone to step up as the #1 on the staff, Smoltz won 24 games for the Braves back in 1996 and has won at least 15 games 5 times in his career. Smoltz as a starter has been successfull in the post season, something the Braves have not been the past few seasons, posting a 12-4 post season record. The move would open a hole at the end of the Braves bullpen, the team would likely have to sign or trade for a closer.

So Braves fans what do you think, good move or bad move?.

[SPTO]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

I'm not a Braves fan but this move would be one of those things that makes no difference. Smoltz will probably struggle in the early going but once he's used to starting again then he should do well. I would say he'd be a 15 game winner, however if the Braves can't get/afford a top notch closer then they're back to the situation the club was in before Smoltz became a closer. They'll have a solid relief corps right up to the closer but said closer may not be totally reliable for one reason or another.

[SPTO]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

I'm not a Braves fan but this move would be one of those things that makes no difference. Smoltz will probably struggle in the early going but once he's used to starting again then he should do well. I would say he'd be a 15 game winner, however if the Braves can't get/afford a top notch closer then they're back to the situation the club was in before Smoltz became a closer. They'll have a solid relief corps right up to the closer but said closer may not be totally reliable for one reason or another.

[caseyd]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

According to the Atlanta Journal-constitution the Braves may move closer John Smoltz back into the starting rotation next season, a move Smoltz is willing to make. With Russ Ortiz and Jaret Wright free agents after the World Series the Braves may need to fill holes in the rotation, and they need someone to step up as the #1 on the staff, Smoltz won 24 games for the Braves back in 1996 and has won at least 15 games 5 times in his career. Smoltz as a starter has been successfull in the post season, something the Braves have not been the past few seasons, posting a 12-4 post season record. The move would open a hole at the end of the Braves bullpen, the team would likely have to sign or trade for a closer.

So Braves fans what do you think, good move or bad move?.

I'm a huge Braves fan, and am in favor of this move. We shouldn't be paying a closer $13 million. I hope we resign Wright, and let Byrd and Ortiz go. I'm hearing things about the Yankees possibly trading us Kevin Brown for Hampton. I'd definitely be in favor of that. Anything to get rid of Hampton's bloated salary. Then, Brown and Smoltz could fill in the gap until some of our young starters are ready. I'd like to see a rotation of:

Smoltz
Wright
Brown
Ramirez
Capellan

Not sure who to have close at this point, but I'm sure we can find someone. The problem in the postseason has been that our starting pitching never gives a lead to Smoltz to begin with, so what good is it having him as the closer?

[caseyd]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

According to the Atlanta Journal-constitution the Braves may move closer John Smoltz back into the starting rotation next season, a move Smoltz is willing to make. With Russ Ortiz and Jaret Wright free agents after the World Series the Braves may need to fill holes in the rotation, and they need someone to step up as the #1 on the staff, Smoltz won 24 games for the Braves back in 1996 and has won at least 15 games 5 times in his career. Smoltz as a starter has been successfull in the post season, something the Braves have not been the past few seasons, posting a 12-4 post season record. The move would open a hole at the end of the Braves bullpen, the team would likely have to sign or trade for a closer.

So Braves fans what do you think, good move or bad move?.

I'm a huge Braves fan, and am in favor of this move. We shouldn't be paying a closer $13 million. I hope we resign Wright, and let Byrd and Ortiz go. I'm hearing things about the Yankees possibly trading us Kevin Brown for Hampton. I'd definitely be in favor of that. Anything to get rid of Hampton's bloated salary. Then, Brown and Smoltz could fill in the gap until some of our young starters are ready. I'd like to see a rotation of:

Smoltz
Wright
Brown
Ramirez
Capellan

Not sure who to have close at this point, but I'm sure we can find someone. The problem in the postseason has been that our starting pitching never gives a lead to Smoltz to begin with, so what good is it having him as the closer?

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

I dont know whether I'm in favor of it or not. In a way its good, but we need a backup plan in case he struggles with it. I really dont want Brown, cant stand him, but if Hampton is going to be traded for him, then its pretty much something I'd have to do. I'd rather trade Hampton for Vazquez, but we all know that wont happen.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

I dont know whether I'm in favor of it or not. In a way its good, but we need a backup plan in case he struggles with it. I really dont want Brown, cant stand him, but if Hampton is going to be traded for him, then its pretty much something I'd have to do. I'd rather trade Hampton for Vazquez, but we all know that wont happen.

[caseyd]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

I dont know whether I'm in favor of it or not. In a way its good, but we need a backup plan in case he struggles with it. I really dont want Brown, cant stand him, but if Hampton is going to be traded for him, then its pretty much something I'd have to do. I'd rather trade Hampton for Vazquez, but we all know that wont happen.

Yeah exactly. I'd much rather have Vasquez because I think Leo could turn him into the Ace that we need. I don't see the Yanks getting rid of him, at least not cheaply. The thing about a Brown for Hampton trade is that we'd only have to deal with Brown's salary for a year where we have Hampton's for another 4 years.

[caseyd]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

I dont know whether I'm in favor of it or not. In a way its good, but we need a backup plan in case he struggles with it. I really dont want Brown, cant stand him, but if Hampton is going to be traded for him, then its pretty much something I'd have to do. I'd rather trade Hampton for Vazquez, but we all know that wont happen.

Yeah exactly. I'd much rather have Vasquez because I think Leo could turn him into the Ace that we need. I don't see the Yanks getting rid of him, at least not cheaply. The thing about a Brown for Hampton trade is that we'd only have to deal with Brown's salary for a year where we have Hampton's for another 4 years.

[bravosfan]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

Smoltz should start, and I believe he will. John Smoltz is (well, was) a great starting pitcher. The guy you wanted on the hill when you needed a win.

Not to minimize the value of having a shut-down closer, but I'd much rather have a dominant #1 starter. It's not that difficult to find an effective closer at a reasonable cost.

John Smoltz will make $13-15 million next year, that's ace money. Now, can he still do it? Remains to be seen, but I'm willing to give it a try. You know as great a closer as he's been, we haven't gone deep into the playoffs. Not his fault, of course, but it sure would've been nice to have a big game money starter like him this past postseason.

I'm hearing things about the Yankees possibly trading us Kevin Brown for Hampton. I'd definitely be in favor of that. Anything to get rid of Hampton's bloated salary. Then, Brown and Smoltz could fill in the gap until some of our young starters are ready.

I've heard the Brown rumors too, but I doubt even the Yankees would take Hampton's contract. From what I've heard, The Yankees just want to get rid of Brown, and would be willing to pay a huge chunk of his 2005 salary to do so.

[bravosfan]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

Smoltz should start, and I believe he will. John Smoltz is (well, was) a great starting pitcher. The guy you wanted on the hill when you needed a win.

Not to minimize the value of having a shut-down closer, but I'd much rather have a dominant #1 starter. It's not that difficult to find an effective closer at a reasonable cost.

John Smoltz will make $13-15 million next year, that's ace money. Now, can he still do it? Remains to be seen, but I'm willing to give it a try. You know as great a closer as he's been, we haven't gone deep into the playoffs. Not his fault, of course, but it sure would've been nice to have a big game money starter like him this past postseason.

I'm hearing things about the Yankees possibly trading us Kevin Brown for Hampton. I'd definitely be in favor of that. Anything to get rid of Hampton's bloated salary. Then, Brown and Smoltz could fill in the gap until some of our young starters are ready.

I've heard the Brown rumors too, but I doubt even the Yankees would take Hampton's contract. From what I've heard, The Yankees just want to get rid of Brown, and would be willing to pay a huge chunk of his 2005 salary to do so.

[caseyd]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

I've heard the Brown rumors too, but I doubt even the Yankees would take Hampton's contract. From what I've heard, The Yankees just want to get rid of Brown, and would be willing to pay a huge chunk of his 2005 salary to do so.

Yeah, I think if the Yanks would pay a big chunk, it would be a good move. He's from Georgia, and I still think if put in the right situation, has another good year left in him. I really would like to get rid of Hampton and his salary. We gave him a shot for 2 years and he has just not responded very well. If he could put two solid halves together, it might be a different story, but he'll do fine one half and terrible the next. He's incredibly inconsistent. Amazing what a few years in Coors will do. Luckily, Thompson (and I forgot about him for the rotation-maybe in place of Capellan for another year) hasn't been totally screwed up by that.

[caseyd]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

I've heard the Brown rumors too, but I doubt even the Yankees would take Hampton's contract. From what I've heard, The Yankees just want to get rid of Brown, and would be willing to pay a huge chunk of his 2005 salary to do so.

Yeah, I think if the Yanks would pay a big chunk, it would be a good move. He's from Georgia, and I still think if put in the right situation, has another good year left in him. I really would like to get rid of Hampton and his salary. We gave him a shot for 2 years and he has just not responded very well. If he could put two solid halves together, it might be a different story, but he'll do fine one half and terrible the next. He's incredibly inconsistent. Amazing what a few years in Coors will do. Luckily, Thompson (and I forgot about him for the rotation-maybe in place of Capellan for another year) hasn't been totally screwed up by that.

[mgoblue]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

I don't think it's a bad move, I think Atlanta will find a good closer easier and cheaper than a good #1 or 2 starter, because I don't think the free agent starting pitchers go that deep this year

[mgoblue]

Re: Smoltz could return to Braves rotation

I don't think it's a bad move, I think Atlanta will find a good closer easier and cheaper than a good #1 or 2 starter, because I don't think the free agent starting pitchers go that deep this year