Braves sign Rheal Cormier.

[JCStone7]

I just heard Skip Caray say we signed Rheal Cormier and he'll report to Richmond. Any thoughts?

[McCarroll21]

Copying this from another thread...

I ALMOST made a thread about him being DFA the other day, but I hate when people make threads about everyone available.

We'll get him for the minimum while the Reds still pay something like 2.2 million for his services. Always good to have a veteran lefty making nothing. :D

I was fearful he wouldn't accept going to Richmond, but if he is it can't hurt to have him there for if we need any help in the pen.

[ATlinVA]

It seems like he's been around the block a few times, and i remember him pitching fairly well against the braves. Our bullpen(s) is stocked and has plenty of insurance policies.

[gobravez]

He pitched for the Phillies last year right? I always thought he was pretty good.

[BGarrett7]

Definitely a bargain deal. One of the better LH middle relievers out there during the prime of his career, and coming off a very good stint with the Phils last year.

[Vuchato]

isn't he related to Lance?

[BGarrett7]

isn't he related to Lance?No.

[McCarroll21]

w00t! but you can never go wrong with keeping up with the Cormiers.

[grafe]

I used to think Lance Cormier was Rheal and wondered why he always seemed to be pitching for different teams, I guess he can't be much worse than Colyer although he's probably the option behind McBride<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- EndContentMarker -->

[vnodnarb]

i dont think he'll help us any but at least he wont help anyone else out

[MSU Bulldog]

I guess lefty relievers would be the one thing we are short on down on the farm, but who isn't.

As for him accepting the assignment to Richmond, several players in the past have took less money, minor league contracts, to have a chance to resurrect their careers with the Braves and pitch for a proven winner. (ie: most recently Redman) Bobby's reputation doesn't hurt either.

[HaRdCoReBrAvEsFaN]

I don't know... if Coyler gets through waivers:

McBride
Startup
Cormier
Coyler

That's a plenty of options for situational LH's imo....

[at65]

They say that we have more talented lefties to be used, but we don't have an experienced lefty like Cormier. Besides, we've already seen McBride, and at this point, he's got work left to do to make any use of his talent.

If Rheal shows that he has anything left in the tank at AAA, we will see him shortly. I believe that the same day Rheal Cormier was released, so was Colyer (or DFA.. who cares). I doubt that this was a coincidence. If he can put a few scoreless innings together, he'll get the call. I think the Braves will wait until after the break to give McBride another shot. He needs more seasoning.

[Jsh1284]

McBride was excellent in the second half of last season. If he can somehow get back to what he was doing, I'd love to see him back up here. I however think he's going to be the next in line for a starting job should Lerew fail to hold the job .. which means .. Cormier will likely end up being our situational lefty.

[vnodnarb]

McBride was excellent in the second half of last season. If he can somehow get back to what he was doing, I'd love to see him back up here. I however think he's going to be the next in line for a starting job should Lerew fail to hold the job .. which means .. Cormier will likely end up being our situational lefty.

i really hope not, mcbride gets killed by righties, hopefully lance is ready before we need IF we need to try another 5th starter, personally i think lerew has the best chance to succeed out of lerew/redman/mcbride/cormier

[BGarrett7]

McBride was excellent in the second half of last season.Actually, the only thing he did better in the second half was throw strikes -- sometimes for the worst.

First Half:
33 G, 26.2 IP, 120 PA, 0.75 K/BB, .227/.364/.278/.642, 4 XBH, .268 BAbip

Second Half:
38 G, 30 IP, 129 PA, 2.58 K/BB, .265/.333/.410/.743, 11 XBH, .345 BAbip

[KB 34]

If I recall right BC figured out that McBride was a LOOGY about mid June and things got better from there on.

[C-Dawg]

If I recall right BC figured out that McBride was a LOOGY about mid June and things got better from there on.

If McBride is really that bad, then why don't we try to move him now while he still has the aura of being a young power lefty. That alone should net a nice ransom.

[DanielW4444]

I think McBride is going to be an effective pitcher one day. He makes me think of an Alan Embree type.

Cormier could be a good backup guy to have around.

[MSU Bulldog]

I think McBride is going to be an effective pitcher one day. He makes me think of an Alan Embree type.

That's scary!

[DanielW4444]

That's scary!


Embree was good.

[MSU Bulldog]

Embree was good.

In 1997, sure.

[DanielW4444]

eh. nevermind. Was thinking of someone else

[MSU Bulldog]

atlantabraves.com (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070601&content_id=1998745&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl&partnered=rss_atl)

Cormier quits: Last weekend, Rheal Cormier told an MLB.com reporter that he was hopeful the Braves would promote him to the Majors within the next few days. When they didn't, the 40-year-old left-hander obviously felt it was time to explore other options.

On Thursday, Cormier informed the Braves that he will retire from professional baseball. After getting released by the Reds in early May, he signed a Minor League contract with the Braves and then made five appearances with Triple-A Richmond.

With Cormier out of the mix, the Braves have limited options in the event that they need to find a left-handed reliever in their Minor League system. One candidate could be Dan Smith, who in 10 combined starts with Double-A Mississippi and Richmond has posted a 2.22 ERA and limited opponents to a .213 batting average.

[Chief Knockahoma]

ha ha ha...what a baby.

[MSU Bulldog]

In the immortal words of Eric Cartman, "Screw you guys, I'm going home."

[McCarroll21]

Well, Rheal, we know that you offered so much to this team. I don't know if we'll be able to replace what you did for the organization.

[KB 34]

Note to Bowman; Startup is LH just like this 40 year old pitcher who thinks he's better than he probably is.

[McCarroll21]

Note to Bowman; Startup is LH just like this 40 year old pitcher who thinks he's better than he probably is.
Now, we aren't questioning Bowman's knowledge are we? Why on earth would anyone need to do that? :)

[KB 34]

Now, we aren't questioning Bowman's knowledge are we? Why on earth would anyone need to do that? :)
Next thing you know I'll suggest the Salty can't move to CF and replace Andruw there. It's shocking what I type sometimes.