11/21/24
December 12, 2004
Smoltz back in starting rotation: Is this a good idea? While the Braves need a good starter, Smoltz could barely last the year as a closer. Now that they have Kolb to close, how long will Smoltz last as a starter? Four elbow surgeries might come back to haunt him this year.
Kolb, who last year became the first pitcher in history to record 30 or more saves while totaling fewer than 30 strikeouts (he had 21). Yikes! Potential one-year wonder?
posted by yerfatma at 11:09 AM on December 12, 2004
Well....1 and 1/2 year wonder. He had 21 saves and 1.96 ERA in 2003 after taking over the closer job from DeJean. Nonetheless, that K thing is worrisome if you're a Braves fan. We kept waiting for Danny to implode last year.
posted by brewdudepa at 12:33 PM on December 12, 2004
Yikes! Potential one-year wonder? I agree. I had Kolb on my fantisy team last years and saw that trend. I picked him in the last few rounds and got a bit lucky I will admit. However, I'd hesitate taking him any higher than I did last season. It looks like the Brewers got the better of this deal.
posted by Bag Man at 01:47 PM on December 12, 2004
If Kolb lasts the season, I'll be surprised. All the talk here in WI was that Melvin was keen to unload him, as it's generally believed he's on the verge of breaking down.
posted by rocketman at 02:31 PM on December 12, 2004
Alternatively, the Braves have a knack of trading away pitchers after they've gotten the best out of them (Denny Neagle, Pete Smith, Kevin Millwood, etc.). Jason Schmidt is really the only exception I can think of here. So, I wouldn't get wildly excited in WI. As for Smoltz in the rotation, I'm not so sure I'm excited about that at all. I've always really like Smoltzie, and thought the closer's role would keep him around a few years longer than otherwise. I do understand his hunger to get back to starting though; the guy would walk through a brick wall to compete.
posted by trox at 08:19 AM on December 13, 2004
the Braves have a knack of trading away pitchers after they've gotten the best out of them Well, they traded away a prospect before he pitched for them . . .
posted by yerfatma at 12:02 PM on December 13, 2004
Reminds me of the young pitcher who had only appeared for them a few times (Rivera) that was traded to the Orioles (can't remember for whom exactly). He was a fireballer too, and he hasn't started for Baltimore once and has had an assortment of arm injuries.
posted by trox at 01:17 PM on December 13, 2004
You can add Odalis Perez to the (short) list of pitchers to flourish *after* leaving ATL.
posted by herc at 07:03 PM on December 15, 2004
As a Brewer fan, I love this deal.....Kolb's value will never be higher, and Capellan's a tremendous talent. I live in Myrtle Beach and he started the year here with Atlanta's A ball club. Saw him pitch 8 innings of no-hit ball before the reliever gave up a 2 out ninth inning single. He was just blowing it past 'em, and then proceeded to catapult thru the ranks to Atlanta in September. The Crew will find another closer (Vizcaino or Adams) without difficulty.