There are two entries in the Braves’ Bullpen; I’m still open to submissions, of course.
Larry thinks that the Braves should trade for Ken Griffey Jr. to play left field. That would be great, except that I don’t think the Braves have what the Reds are looking for (an established star hitter they’re willing to trade) and that I doubt Junior would waive his no-trade clause if he wouldn’t get to play centerfield.
Alex R. comments on the Glavine departure. I’ll take issue with the idea he’s expressed to me that trading for Javier Vazquez is preferable to re-signing Greg Maddux. Vazquez wasn’t really that good last year (10-13 with an ERA only a little better than league) and Greg was very good when he was able to pitch, second in the league in ERA. Yeah, Vazquez will probably still be in the league when Greg is in Cooperstown, but for the next two or three years I expect Maddux will be the superior pitcher.
Considering that Maddux got stronger as the year went on, going deep into games the last six weeks after getting healthy, I’d say I strongly agree.
The number one factor in how long a pitcher will pitch is not age. Its not pitch counts. Its not pitching style or strikeouts per nine innings. No, the number one factor is how well the pitcher is pitching ~ Greg Maddux has pitched better than Vazquez consistently even at Javier’s best last season. If I were a betting man, I’d bet that Maddux has more years of value (i.e. >175 IP ERA
I can’t find the link (ESPN.COM isn’t working for me right now), but evidently they’re reporting that Darren Holmes has re-signed. 750,000.
I don’t have a link either, but Baseball Primer’s transaction oracle and Lee Sinnis’s ATM reports are both reporting the same thing about Holmes. At that price, its a great signing. Obviously we shouldn’t expect a sub 2.00 ERA again, but ~ assuming continuing good health ~ he’s always been above average out of the bullpen and is being paid less than half the major league average and barely more than the major league minimum.
Google News, always the answer. So I wind up linking to the Miami Herald, but they had the story.