Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
December 11, 2004
Rotation, Rotation, Rotation

John Smoltz is headed back to the Braves starting rotation.

SportsTicker has learned that the Braves have traded prized pitching prospect Jose Capellan to the Milwaukee Brewers for All-Star reliever Danny Kolb. Sources close to both sides confirmed the deal.

Earlier Saturday, Braves manager Bobby Cox was pointed in his comments that Smoltz was headed back to the rotation, likely aware that the deal was close to being finalized.

I thought the whole point of moving Smoltz to the bullpen was to save his arm after he missed all of 2000 and part of 2001. With elbow surgery before the 2004 season, the Braves must believe he can withstand a full season of starting. Cox and Mazzone are miracle workers when it comes to that staff.

In looking at Kolb's record, however, I'd rather have Smoltz in the bullpen. What happened to his strikeouts in 2004? He was great in 2003, striking out 39 in 41 1/3 innings; but last year he only K'd 21 in 57 1/3. Smoltz had better than a K an inning his last three seasons as a closer. Mazzone might have to work a miracle with Kolb as well.


Posted by David Pinto at 11:09 PM | Pitchers | TrackBack (0)
Comments

I believe this also means that the Braves are out of the running for Hudson, as Capellan was their big trade chit (along with Giles) that was going to haul in Hudson.

Smoltz is paid too much to be a closer. Even if they limit him to 6 inning starts, the Braves get more bang for the buck with him in the rotation.

Posted by: Daniel at December 12, 2004 12:22 AM

I think the key here is to try to get more quality innings out of the best pitcher on the staff. If he can pitch 200 innings (and maybe that is a big if) Smoltz will be far more valuable than if he throws 70 out of the bullpen.

The question of worth is important. The Braves will be paying Smoltz about $12 million next season, and that's more than you'd like to be paying a closer. He can do more to earn that money as a starter, and the Braves can let Kolb pitch with a lead in the ninth.

Posted by: Jay at December 12, 2004 12:23 AM

i read in an espn mag article that smoltz felt closing caused more stress on his arm than starting...

Posted by: otis at December 12, 2004 10:19 AM

The thing with Kolb wasn't the Ks. If you've seen him in action over the past year, he got the job done almost every time, not needing to strike em out.

Posted by: James Mason at December 12, 2004 04:47 PM

I have decided to reserve judgment on any move the Braves make until they fail to win their division one year. Until then, I'm assuming they know something I don't - especially when the deals they make don't seem to make sense to me.

Posted by: Mike H at December 13, 2004 01:20 PM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?