ajc.com | Braves | Braves sign reliever Venafro
I don’t know why you’d want a guy whose ERA was 7.24 in the second half (2.76 before the break) but I guess he’s cheap. I don’t believe in giving major league contracts to free agent relievers. Did Chris Hammond and Darren Holmes sign major league contracts before last season? By doing this, the Braves lock themselves into Venafro even if he stinks up Orlando. Oh, but he’s a lefty!
(Thanks to Troy.)
I don’t like this signing too much, but after the work on Holmes and Hammond last year I’m darned sure not going to nail them for it. A few comments – he has a substantial platoon split against, low-mid 700’s against lefties, 900+ vs. righties. I think his split vs. lefties isn’t good enough, but there ya go. Moreover, I don’t like relievers on this team with such huge splits, because Cox doesn’t really go hardline on switching them out or leaving them in just one batter (I always thought he let Steve Reed face too many lefties when we had him). LaRussa he ain’t.
As for that second half ERA, wasn’t that in just 4 or 6 or so innings? Not sure if he was injured or demoted or what.
Just confirmed his splits. Post All-Star he pitched only 4 2/3 innings. from July to September Including pre-AS July games) he posted 6 2/3 innings, allowing 8 runs.