The Undependables: John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Mike Hampton
Well, it was definitely a frustrating "blogging" day Thursday. I wrote a "Thanksgiving Blog" and it was zapped two times. Right as I would get ready to upload a few photos, somehow I would lose the body of my blog. I guess I should start writing my blogs in a word document and copy and paste. I'm not doing that right now, though. I'm too lazy to do that. I'm already going right now.
I do have some comments/questions I want to mention/pose:
After a very boring Hot Stove Thanksgiving (referring to the lack of trades.... not the food, was great), I began thinking about what to do with guys like Glavine, Smoltz, Hampton . . . the list goes on. By that, I mean what does the club do with players who hardly proved themselves reliable last season. Actually, the only two that impressed me out of those three last season was Smoltzie and Hampton, although Hampton's surprise came when it absolutely made no difference.
- I'm sorry, folks. I love Glavine. Always have. However, this past season was just dreadful. Now, I know he didn't get any run support his first several games, but it wasn't like he was just shutting people down like Smoltz (before he got hurt). Glavine was barely skimming by. He wasn't as sharp as usual. Crap, he's gained 100 pounds since his Cy Young days, which is understandable . . . he will be 43 in March. Bottom line-- I'm just not convinced he needs to still be playing. I know this will probably make some Glavine fans
angry with me. I love Glavine; I really do. I'm just not for paying him 6-8 million dollars to come back next year to pitch 4-6 decent games. Sure, it was nice to see him leave snobby New York to come back to his home in Atlanta. But, the "feel good times" need to be over, folks. It's time to start winning again. Build from the ground up. Glavine is just not our ground (foundation) anymore. Guys like McCann, Yunel, Hanson, Jurrjens, Frenchy (hopefully...), etc.. are our foundation.
I'm leaving Glavine alone . . .
- Now, Smoltz deserves around 6-8 million to come back. It's pretty much already understood that he will not receive the 12-13 million he did last year. Smoltz knows this. However, it must be stated that whenever Smoltz is healthy, he is still one of the best (if not the best) pitcher in baseball. Guys can't touch him. Heck, you saw what he did last season before getting hurt. He shut folks down. Period. Someone recently commented on one of the few blogs I've posted since joining MLBlogs saying that they don't see Smoltz returning for "special relief," or even plain bullpen work, for that matter. The commenter
said that Smoltz will and should return as a starter. Initially, I said that it would be an asset to use Smoltz for long relief/closing stuff, as the situation presents itself. However, I'm going to waver from that for a minute. I'm going to be like John Kerry and just flat-out FLIP FLOP. I agree, commenter. Smoltz should return as a starter. Perhaps, he should pitch as a starter until his arm won't let him in 09' and then, if needed, he can go to bullpen and let Hanson get his crack at the BIGS. What do you all think? Regardless, I think the Braves should bring him back for at least one more year. If Smoltzie demands more than his feeble arm is worth, then turn him loose. And don't sweat over it. We've got to start winning. Start young, again. Let the "feel gooders" go.
- I'm not sure what to do about Hampton. I have mixed feelings. I feel like just when the
Braves let him go, he will return to his all-star form and knock guys out. Of course, this is always the Braves' luck. Should we sign him for cheap? Or let him go?
Give me something, folks. As the idiot, Kanye West says, "I need ya right now."
To make it short,
Smoltz=Bring Back
Glavine=Make him retire
Hampton= Bring Back IF we don't get Peavy or Burnett. I doubt we will get him though.
http://darion.mlblogs.com/
Report any abuse or spam
-Smoltz will be a starter in '09 and will pitch 200+ innings like he did back in his younger days. And '07 of course. He'll be the Smoltz of '07 or better with his healthy shoulder.
-You have to sign Hampton, you just have to.
-Glavine... Let him go. That's an easy one.
Report any abuse or spam
We don't even know if Smoltz will physically be able to compete. But if he can he is over 40 years old and would be coming off shoulder surgery. He should only come out of the bullpen. He may want to start but he would probably just get hurt again. Smoltz would be more effective out of the pen as he could put more stress on his arm, as in more breaking balls and throwing harder. Glavine has very little if anything left in the tank. He needs to just retire and wait for the Hall of Fame. Hampton can always be brought back on an incentive based contract. He does good he gets paid, he sucks then doesn't get paid. It is that simple. Or give him a contract for 500k or 1 million and that would be ok. Hampton proved he can still pitch if he is healthy.
http://hardballblog.mlblogs.com/
Report any abuse or spam
It is tough when a player doesn't know when it's time to leave. (Like Curt Shilling - only a half a season?!) Glavine in his day was great - but there comes a time when you need to hang it up and go out with you head held high. I think it's time for Glavine.
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Report any abuse or spam
Smoltz will be back 90% sure I hope he can start but still got a great bullpen guy either way.
Hampton will come back 75% sure, I think he will return to form this year.
IF tommy comes back WE ALL should give him the respect and the chance to finish his career with pride and dignity. I know he had a bad year with injury, but before that he never was on the DL at all EVER. i do not like the short term memory managing style. The year prior he was pretty darn good just had a bad last game for the Mets. Old school days you gave that guy respect and the dignity to go out on his terms. Mr. Glavine was the BEST in baseball for a time. Dont get me wrong if he cant do it anymore then the scouts will know long before the season starts. Tommy himself will tell you if he cant compete at this level then he will hang em up. whatever he does, he deserves to be treated like a champion pitcher and a definite first ballot HOFer. I agree with not hanging on to nostalgia but Tommy would be a better #5 starter than what we have now. I wouldnt mind seeing Burnett Peavy Jurrjens----- Smoltzie Hampton and Glavine in the rotation and let them compete with the youngsters for a spot in Spring Training.
Report any abuse or spam
These are going to be some tough calls for the Braves to make, and I don't envy the task of Frank Wren when it comes to building a new rotation, and perhaps saying good bye to some big pieces of Atlanta's most successful years. I think Smoltz will come back if he is comfortable with his stuff, but there is no way he will do so to sit in the bullpen and toss the seventh or eighth inning. Glavine has accomplished everything he could have ever dreamed of and is a Hall of Famer, my guess is he quietly retires (Greg Maddux too). As for Hampton, there may be something to bringing him back for a one year deal, since that's what he seems to be looking for. Winter Meetings could prove interesting. I just threw down my Winter Meetings shopping list if you want to check it out.
http://grantmc.mlblogs.com
Report any abuse or spam