Braves Report

Okay, well we all know how the starting pitching has gone this season, and now with a bunch of injuries, especially to one of our aces, Smoltz, we need to reassess the situation. Who do we have? Who can we bring up? Who can we trade for?

Who do we have now?

Tim Hudson: 4-2, 2.95 ERA, 42.2 IP in 7 games, 27 K, 5 BB

Tom Glavine: 0-1, 4.50 ERA, 22 IP in 5 starts, 11K, 12 BB

Jair Jurrjens: 3-2, 3.05 ERA, 38.1 IP in 6 games, 28 K, 13 BB

Jeff Bennett: 0-1, 3.95 ERA, 27.1 IP in 12 games (3 starts), 19 K, 14 BB

Jo-Jo Reyes: 1-0, 1.69 ERA, 5.1 IP, 5K, 3 BB (1-1, 1.17, 23 in 5, 25, 8 in AAA)

Without Smoltz, this rotation won’t scare too many, and Jayson Stark is already wanting to take back his World Series prediction. Honestly, if anyone picked us, they’re probably thinking the same thing that Stark is. However, things may not be as bad as they seem. Huddy just pitched a gem Friday, and hopefully, his inconsistencies are out of the way. We need Hudson to go out and pitch 7-8 innings every time out like Webb and Peavy for us to make it. Jurrjens has been a God-send. He has been the most consistent pitcher, and with a 3 ERA, he’s been the second-best (edged out by Huddy). He’s pitched at least 5 innings each time, and 3 out of 6 times, he’s pitched 7. Glavine has also pitched fairly well so far, and if he stays healthy, hopefully he pitches more like he did against Washington than yesterday against Cincinnati. He needs to eat innings. Bennett has done fairly well, but he’s been a bit inconsistent. Yet, he’s probably more of a long-reliever than starter, but he’s been pretty huge so far by pitching whenever and however we need him. Finally, Reyes seems to be becoming the pitcher we hoped he could be. He pitched really well last night, and if we scored the seven runs earlier, he would have pitched another inning or so, at least. If he continues his early season success, Jair and Jo-Jo could be the beginning of a beautiful thing. As I see it now, we need another experienced guy in the rotation. Huddy and Glavine should be able to stabilize things for the most part, but we need some more experience for when they have rough outings. I like Jair and Jo-Jo, but being the No.3 may require too much responsibility.

Who can we bring up?

Chuck James: 2-1, 7.62 ERA, 13 IP in 3 starts, 10 K, 7 BB (0-1, 1.80, 10 IP in 2, 5, 6 in AAA)

Charlie Morton: 1-0, 2.15 ERA, 33.2 IP in 6 starts, 26 K, 13 BB in AAA

Tommy Hanson: 3-1, 0.79 ERA, 34 IP in 6 starts, 42 K, 10 BB in A Myrtle Beach

Other notables: Rouwenhorst (4-1, 3.55 ERA in AAA), Todd Redmond (2-1, 3.75 ERA in AA)

Obviously, we can’t trade for everyone, and maybe we won’t be able to trade for anyone. Therefore, we may need another prospect to come up in the event of an injury. You’ll note that Hampton is not on any of these lists because I don’t think we can expect anything from him, and he is considering retirement. On to James, he’s been inconsistent, and he still can’t find the strike zone. However, he has the most experience and will be the next one called up. Morton continues to show the improvement shown in Spring Training by pitching well in AAA. I’d like him to be the next one up, but he probably won’t be. Also pitching incredibly, fantastically, and marvelously well is Tommy Hanson. His stock has soared upward as a result of his awesome start. Although he is a little too far away to be called up, if he gets promoted to AA and does well, it may not be too surprising to see him up in the majors. Cox promotes based on results, not what team you’re on. I threw in Rouwenhorst and Redmond because they’re pitching fairly well, and might find themselves up here. The other pitchers in Richmond and especially Mississippi haven’t been very good so far, especially the starters.

Who can we trade for?

Here’s the multi-million dollar question. I’ll talk about some rumors and try to anticipate what the other team may want in return. Here’s what we need: an innings-eater, experience (3+ seasons), youngish (late twenties, early thirties), talent. We don’t need to freak out, but we need some insurance. With Smoltz likely done as a starter (yet to be determined if he’s just frustrated, but I’ll trust that he doesn’t have much left), we have to have someone to count on, and next year’s rotation seems to be Hudson, ______, ______, Jurrjens, and Reyes as we’ll lose Smoltz and Glavine from the rotation. Maybe Jurrjens or Reyes can jump to the third spot, but realistically, this is how we stand.

(Note: the “/” means “or”. I just used it to group players together)

Roy Oswalt: 3-3, 5.57 ERA, 42 IP in 7 starts, 33 K, 13 BB, 30 years old, 8^th season

Here’s the perfect solution. Basically a Hudson look-a-like with his small stature and drop-and-drive mechanics, Oswalt is probably one of the top five pitchers in the NL. Don’t let the bad ERA scare you because this guy is good and underrated. His stats will come back to earth a little. He not only pitches 200 innings as he usually throws more than 220. He’s only had one injury in his career (2003). However, Owner McLane doesn’t really want to deal him because Oswalt is signed through 2012 for $14-16 million per year. Also, at 15-16, the Astros aren’t ready to go into seller’s mode yet. Therefore, this is a long-shot, but the rumor had to come from somewhere. To get him, we’ll need to give up probably 4 pieces. Maybe Anderson/Blanco/Lillibridge/Prado, 2 from Rohrbough/Morton/Locke/Evarts/Hanson and Schafer/Heyward (now, most likely Heyward). It would take a lot to get Oswalt, but he’d be worth it.

Joe Blanton: 3-5, 3.88 ERA, 55 IP in 8 starts, 22 K, 10 BB, 27 years old, 4^th season

Another underrated guy who pitched 230 innings last season with a 3.95 ERA. He won’t strike out many, but he gets a lot of ground outs. He’s never had a losing season, and his numbers aren’t too bad this season either. For whatever reason, he hasn’t got a lot of run support and lost two 2-1 games so far. At age 27, he’s young and still has two more arbitration years after this season (keeping him here through 2010). To get him, we would need 3-4 players. Beane may want Heyward, but I wouldn’t trade him for Blanton. Honestly, take out Heyward from the Oswalt deal, and we might get Blanton. However, with the A’s inexplicably doing well so far, this one is a long-shot for the time being although Beane isn’t afraid to make a deal.

Freddy Garcia: no starts this season, 32 years old, 9^th season

Garcia is the second-oldest guy on the list, but he’s a free-agent so nothing is needed to get him except money. Before last season, Garcia only pitched less than 30 games once (2000), so he’s not necessarily injury-prone. However, his injury was a shoulder injury, so be careful. However, at 32, he could still be a solid No.2 guy if he returns to form, and he definitely eats innings. Unfortunately, he’s out until June at the earliest, so he’s not immediately available. Yet, for a million dollars or so, he would be a low-risk/ high-reward guy for the team. If he can prove to be healthy, he’s the best option.

Kevin Millwood: 2-2, 3.86 ERA, 44.1 innings in 7 starts, 27 K, 17 BB, 33 years old, 11^th season

Millwood would have been readily available if not for Texas’ recent winning streak, but it won’t last long. He could be had by the end of May. At 33, Millwood is the oldest option, but he’s not too old. Maybe a return to the place that he started would turn his career back around. Now, Millwood is a sinker/slider guy with little upside, but he eats innings. Also, getting away from homer-happy Ameriquest Field would lower that ERA just a little bit. In trade, we would need to give up two of the above named pitchers and maybe another position player. With pitching at a premium, he won’t cost nearly what Blanton and Oswalt will, but he will not be cheap unless his ERA balloons again. His contract is also cheap as he’s signed through 2010 for $11-12 million per year.

Aaron Harang: 1-4, 2.98 ERA, 48.1 IP in 7 starts, 41 K, 11 BB, 29 years old, 6^th season

This one is a hunch by me. No rumors or anything here. However, Cincinnati can’t get it together, and they may look to unload some hefty contracts. He’s signed through 2011 for $11-13 million, so he’s affordable. At age 29, he is young, and he’s an ace pitcher. To get him, we’ll need the Oswalt package, but again, I think Harang would be worth it. He’s pitched at least 230 innings the last two seasons, and he’s a strikeout guy, which we desperately need. I see a Hudson-like move for some starting pitching, and I think Harang would be a great answer. With the young pitching in the Reds organization, they may deal him away knowing they have some good guys to fall back on. Also, he would be able to bring back much more than Dunn and Griffey combined. For a team looking to rebuild, unloading Harang would bring them at least 4 good prospects.

Greg Maddux: 2-3, 4.09 ERA, 44 IP in 7 starts, 25 K, 8 BB, 42 years old, 22^nd year

Well, Maddux is old, so he doesn’t fit the “youngish” category, but he still has talent and eats innings. Oh yeah, how cool would it be if the “Big Three” finished their careers as Braves. The Padres stink right now, and that offense isn’t getting any better. Maddux could come in and stabilize the rotation for the remainder of the year, but he doesn’t solve any long-term concerns. To get him, we may have to give up one of Anderson/Blanco and maybe an above named pitcher for him. The Padres like young pitching, and they have been searching for a young center fielder.