Previewing 2008: The Rotation

[McCarroll21]

Hudson
Smoltz

That's all we know as of now.

If I had my choice it would look something like this...

Hudson
Pitcher acquired by trading Edgar and someone else
Smoltz
Glavine
Reyes

The thought of bringing back Glavine intrigues me. He isn't what he once was, but he would definitely provide some stabilization to the back end of the rotation.

What are some of your thoughts? I don't want this to turn into a "propose a trade for X player here," but who are some guys that you would target as trade possibilities this off-season? How else would you fill the other spots?

[JCStone57]

My hopes for next year's rotation would look like this:

Hudson
Smoltz
Glavine
Hampton
Cormier

Signing Glavine would be a big boost and a solid #3 guy that we so desperately needed this year. He isn't what he once was but he gives you what a #3 guy should give you. 175+ innings with a low ERA that keeps you in games and will win 14 or 15 games. Not to mention that he is a veteran of many postseasons and knows how to win.

I'm not going to get into the Renteria/James for X guy cuz I'm not sure who will be available on the trade market. So I just stuck Hampton in there at the 4 spot, anything he gives us next year will be a bonus, but I doubt he will be the guy in the rotation. So he's just my fill-in basically cuz it's to early to tell what is out there.

As of right now I'd be happy with Cormier in the 5 hole, he may not be the greatest #5 guy but he's got wicked stuff and I think with 1 or 2 more quality starts he will nail down that 5 spot next year.

[MSU Bulldog]

I don't see any other viable in house option for the 5th starter role other than Reyes.

One possibility would be to re-visit the Arroyo acquisition for the # 3 starter. James needs to work on a number of things this off-season (stamina, 3rd pitch, etc.) and compete for a spot in the rotation along with Hampton. If a third starter should be acquired, the # 4 and #5 spots could possibly be filled by some combination of Hampton, Reyes, James, Cormier, Glavine. Obviously I am not counting on Hampton for anything and assuming Glavine signs.

[McCarroll21]

I forget about Hampton, more or less because I don't want to count on him. Going into the off-season thinking he won't be here in 2008 should be the priority. He could then be the #5 and give Jo-Jo more time in the minors. That will give us a #5 that is capable of pitching as a #2 or 3 at times and won't kill our team if he is to go down in Spring Training again.

[MSU Bulldog]

I'm with you on making plans as if he will not even be here, then whatever you get from him will be a pleasant surprise and not a serious problem if he can not produce.

[KB 34]

My suspicion is that $21 million is keeping Hampton from retiring and I can't blame him at all.

[McCarroll21]

My suspicion is that $21 million is keeping Hampton from retiring and I can't blame him at all.
I'm with you on that, and agree with you in saying that I can't blame him.

[GrandMasterB]

I could see us making another run at Bronson Arroyo. Javier Vasquez would be another good choice. I also think Glavine will return to finish out his career in Atlanta. As far as the fifth spot goes, I think Jo-Jo will be given every chance to take it in spring training. If Cormier can continue to pitch well, he would be another option for that spot. Anything we get out of Hampton will be a bonus.

[MSU Bulldog]

He's gotta feed his kids, to borrow a quote, though I don't blame him either. The man honestly seems to be trying. I'm sure he doesn't have to be in the dugout the times he is.

[Corvette]

Smoltz
Hudson
Glavine
Joe Blanton
Hampton / Reyes

[JCStone57]

So I just stuck Hampton in there at the 4 spot, anything he gives us next year will be a bonus, but I doubt he will be the guy in the rotation.


Anything we get out of Hampton will be a bonus.

Carbon copy! Great minds think alike right GMB? LOL

[GrandMasterB]

Carbon copy! Great minds think alike right GMB? LOL

Looks like it. :D

Although right now, I'd have him as the number seven or eight starter. I have a feeling Schuerholz will do to the rotation this offseason just like he did to the bullpen last offseason. If there's an arm to be had, he will inquire about it (Tanyon Sturtze anyone?). Nothing he does this offseason, as far as the rotation goes, will surprise me.

[McCarroll21]

Hopefully it works out as well for the rotation as it did for the bullpen this year. If we could actually get a rotation and not make 4 or 5 of these guys pitch every day, our bullpen would have been one of the best in the league.

[milbraves]

I'm interested to see what happens with Anthony Lerew. He's been great in the minors and shown flashes of brilliance with Atlanta. It seems like when he's healthy, he's dominant. But then, it also seems like we've heard this guy's on the verge for a few years. Lerew underwent Tommy John surgery in June and only time will tell if he will come back pitching more like Eric Bedard, or more like Rick Ankiel.

Lerew cannot be counted on when reforming the rotation for '08, but if things go well after quite a few rehab starts in the minors, Lerew could be a factor in the Braves' rotation for the second half of next year, or at least provide good trade bait. A successful TJ surgery could add a little zip to an already blazing fastball, and could really improve his ability to throw the sinker consistently. We'll see...

[McCarroll21]

Lerew is cursed. Every time he gets his chance he gets hurt.

[milbraves]

But he's still very young. Hopefully this procedure will help with that

[vnodnarb]

Hudson
Trade - by using Edgar + Cormier or a prospect
Smoltz
Glavine - FA
James

And I would want the two guys waiting in the wings to be Hampton and Reyes

[KB 34]

I'm working on a scenario where the Braves would end up with a pitching rotation of.
1. Smoltz
2. Hudson
3. Glavine
4. Vazquez
5. Wood
Depth: Reyes, Boyer, Dan Smith
DL: Hampton

But obviously this is turning out rather difficult to fit under a $95 million figure and I'm trying to find out more about arbitration players to determine its feasibility. This rotation could prove to be quite deadly if you ask me.

[GrandMasterB]

Might as well go ahead and put Wood on the DL with Hampton and move Reyes into the rotation.

[KB 34]

Might as well go ahead and put Wood on the DL with Hampton and move Reyes into the rotation.
Not unless Dusty Baker and the rest of the Cubs arm breakers all join the Braves.

[GrandMasterB]

Not unless Dusty Baker and the rest of the Cubs arm breakers all join the Braves.

Can't put all the blame on Baker. He's had injury problems since he's been in the league. Jim Riggleman has as much to do with it as anyone.

[thegame10]

Just a question, not a suggestion or anything, but...

What is Mark Prior's situation after this season?

[Corvette]

Just a question, not a suggestion or anything, but...

What is Mark Prior's situation after this season?
I believe he is arbitration eligible, and it's possible the Cubs could non-tender him.

[KB 34]

Can't put all the blame on Baker. He's had injury problems since he's been in the league. Jim Riggleman has as much to do with it as anyone.
Hence why I said the "Cubs arm breakers."

[dogmanx23]

Smotlz
Hudson
Pitcher in trade for Edgar (Arroyo, Vazquez , Lowry ) those are my choices..
Glavine FA
James

i find it weird everyone wrote off james in most of the suggested Rotations... Any chance JS can pull off another hugh trade for an Oswalt or Peavy???

[Scalpel19]

1) Smoltz
2) Hudson
3) One of 3 pitchers
4) Glavine
5) Reyes or James---Spring Training Battle. My money is on CJ

For the 3rd spot it will be one of three pitchers that we will trade Edgar for. I will give more details as I get them. I can say that one of the three pitches saturday against an olf friend of ours

[Hobbes]

1) Smoltz
2) Hudson
3) One of 3 pitchers
4) Glavine
5) Reyes or James---Spring Training Battle. My money is on CJ

For the 3rd spot it will be one of three pitchers that we will trade Edgar for. I will give more details as I get them. I can say that one of the three pitches saturday against an olf friend of ours
I don't believe we will be getting Glavine in the offseason.

As for a pitcher going on Saturday against an old friend, the only "old friend" going Saturday is Glavine, who is going against Oswalt. I don't see it as feasible we get Oswalt either.

[McCarroll21]

Dan Smith really sucks.
So does milbraves.

[JCStone57]

So does milbraves.

True story!

[KB 34]

Just a question, not a suggestion or anything, but...

What is Mark Prior's situation after this season?
Arbitration eligible with the Cubs probably deciding to non-tender him. He had a major surgery this spring and I'm not sure when he's looking to return to the mound.

[cjones1999]

Smoltz
Hudson
Buddy, if he pitches strong the rest of the way. If not, then I would like to see Blanton or Marcum via Renteria trade.
Glavine
a FA or one of the trade ideas.

but that's just me.

[Nic]

What makes everyone so confident Glavine will sign over the off season? I'd love to see him in an ATL uniform next year, but I don't think you can even pencil him in at this point in time. What I'd like to see:

Smoltz
Hudson
Someone not currently in an ATL uniform
Someone not currently in an ATL uniform
James/Hampton/Reyes/Cormier

[cjones1999]

What makes everyone so confident Glavine will sign over the off season?
because he lives in ATL and has made it clear that he is tired of not being able to spend as much time with his family

[GrandMasterB]

Hence why I said the "Cubs arm breakers."

Ahh...okay. Figured you were just talking about guys on Dusty's staff.

Either way, I'd love to have Kerry Wood, but only if we have five other starters as well. He needs to prove that he can make it through a season, just like Hampton, before I would count on too much out of him.

[JCStone57]

What makes everyone so confident Glavine will sign over the off season?

That's why it said PREVIEWING

[Nic]

That's why it said PREVIEWING

At this point, I'd call it nothing more than wishful thinking.

[KB 34]

Ahh...okay. Figured you were just talking about guys on Dusty's staff.

Either way, I'd love to have Kerry Wood, but only if we have five other starters as well. He needs to prove that he can make it through a season, just like Hampton, before I would count on too much out of him.
Exactly. He's risky but could turn out to be a great pickup as long as he's signed with the knowledge that he's not reliable at this point and there needs to be someone ready to replace him. See Jaret Wright for how to execute such a signing.

[JCStone57]

At this point, I'd call it nothing more than wishful thinking.

Well I'm wishing and hoping :D

[Nic]

Well I'm wishing and hoping :D

Me too :beer:

[Hobbes]

That's why it said PREVIEWING
Okay, then here is my projected staff for 2008.

Smoltz
Santana
Hudson
Peavy
Glavine

:thumbsup:

[McCarroll21]

Knowing how close he was this year is what makes me so sure. This year JS won't wait around for other things to happen to get it done. He'll get it done because of how crappy our pitching was, and then do other things to make it work.

[JCStone57]

Okay, then here is my projected staff for 2008.

Smoltz
Santana
Hudson
Peavy
Glavine

:thumbsup:

What a crap rotation :rolleyes:

[cjones1999]

Okay, then here is my projected staff for 2008.

Smoltz
Santana
Hudson
Peavy
Glavine

:thumbsup:
LOL! maybe in MVP '05.......

[GrandMasterB]

Okay, then here is my projected staff for 2008.

Smoltz
Santana
Hudson
Peavy
Glavine

:thumbsup:

So, would we be giving up all of our minor league teams and an affiliate to be named later? :D

[Nic]

Knowing how close he was this year is what makes me so sure. This year JS won't wait around for other things to happen to get it done. He'll get it done because of how crappy our pitching was, and then do other things to make it work.

I hope you're right

[cjones1999]

So, would we be giving up all of our minor league teams and an affiliate to be named later? :D
no, just our whole MLB roster and Tanyon Sturtze. :)

[Nic]

Okay, then here is my projected staff for 2008.

Smoltz
Santana
Hudson
Peavy
Glavine

:thumbsup:


I'll take this one

[atlbrvfan]

I really think that Acosta could be a very good starter. I usually dont go for the whole reliever becoming a starter thing, but I think he has the make up for it. Just wondering if anyone else could see it.

[RockTheShow]

1. Smoltz
2. Hudson
3. Glavine
4/5. James/Buddy/Cormier/Reyes

I just don't see JS making any big moves for a premier SP. I would love to bring in a guy like Arroyo, but we will just have to wait and see.

[milbraves]

I really think that Acosta could be a very good starter. I usually dont go for the whole reliever becoming a starter thing, but I think he has the make up for it. Just wondering if anyone else could see it.

Manny's a one-or two inning kinda guy.