[情報] Braves search for stability in patchwork bullpen
Braves search for stability in patchwork bullpen
By CHARLES ODUM, AP Sports Writer
June 9, 2006
ATLANTA (AP) -- Chris Hammonds. Greg McMichael. Alejandro Pena. Juan Berenguer.
Atlanta Braves general manager John Schuerholz proudly recites the names as
evidence of the success he and his scouting department have had in turning
reclamation projects into successful relievers, some as closers, in the last 15
years.
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Tyler Yates. Chad Paronto. Peter Moylan. Travis Smith.
Many of this year's reclamation projects look more like retreads. Schuerholz
and his staff have found little more than bloated ERAs that have helped bring
down a bullpen also burdened by Chris Reitsma's inability to close games.
The numbers confirm what booing Atlanta fans already know: The Braves have one
of the worst bullpens in baseball. The relievers don't deserve all the blame
for the team's drop below .500, but if the Braves are to extend their 14-season
run of division titles, help must be found.
The bullpen ranks 15th in the NL with an ERA around 5.00, and is last in
opponents' on-base percentage.
Even worse, Atlanta has 14 saves and 11 blown saves, a very unhealthy ratio.
The Braves have no established closer or set-up man. Journeyman Ken Ray has
provided some hope with his three recent saves, but he is a rare pleasant
surprise in a bullpen that also is leaning heavily on 40-year-old Mike
Remlinger.
Macay McBride is the only true product of the Braves' farm system in the
bullpen.
"I just know you look up and it's different than last year, but bullpens are
like that usually," McBride said of the heavy turnover in relievers.
Ray, a 31-year-old right-hander who before this year last pitched in the majors
in 1999 with Kansas City, probably will continue to receive save opportunities
as long as he has success. Paronto has no wins or saves, but also has earned a
longer look, unlike the other reclamation projects:
-- Moylan was signed by the Braves in spring training after pitching for his
native Australia in the World Baseball Classic. After seven appearances, Moylan
and his 9.53 ERA were sent to Triple-A Richmond.
-- Smith was 2-3 with a 6.20 ERA with Atlanta in 2004, and he had a 6.75 ERA
with Florida last season. That didn't stop the Braves from bringing him back.
He was 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA when he was placed on waivers and opted for free
agency.
-- Yates was signed to a minor league contract on May 3. He was 2-4 with a 6.36
ERA with the New York Mets in 2004 and missed the 2005 season following rotator
cuff surgery. Through four appearances with Atlanta, he had an ugly 8.10 ERA.
The team was hurt by the loss of Blaine Boyer, a promising rookie in 2005 who
had shoulder surgery in April but could return in the second half of the season
.
The team's top relief prospect, Joey Devine, quickly was shipped to Richmond
after giving up seven runs on five hits in two appearances in early April. He
then learned of a lower back problem that has caused him to spend almost two
months at extended spring training in Orlando.
It is not known when Devine will be ready to pitch again.
The bullpen blues have reached the point that former closer John Smoltz fielded
questions from reporters this week about a possible return to the bullpen. No
way, said Smoltz, who instead reminded the media of the patchwork composition
of the relief corps.
"No one really wants to assess the situation, where we have a guy who was out
of baseball for several years (Ray), a guy who was playing baseball in
Australia (Moylan), you know what I'm saying?" Smoltz said. "These guys are
going to be doing what they know. With the exception of Remlinger, what's our
most veteran guy?"
After Remlinger, the reliever with the most major league experience is Oscar
Villarreal, who with Lance Cormier was acquired in the offseason from Arizona
for catcher Johnny Estrada.
Cormier was sent to Richmond on May 30 with a 6.10 ERA. Villarreal has blown
each of his four save opportunities this season, yet is 7-0 with a 4.82 ERA.
Smoltz hinted at the team's low-cost approach to building the bullpen. Reitsma
is making $2.75 million this year, but Remlinger is the next-highest-paid
reliever at $700,000, followed by Villarreal at $462,000.
As the highest-paid reliever, Reitsma also has been the biggest disappointment.
Reitsma has blown four of 12 save opportunities and has a 7.62 ERA after giving
up two runs in Thursday night's loss to Houston.
The struggles point to Schuerholz looking elsewhere for help, as he did last
year in acquiring Kyle Farnsworth. But many other clubs also are looking for
relief help.
"We feel we're going to be able to do what is necessary to make our team as
strong as it needs to be to battle for our division championship," Schuerholz
said. "Whether it's through internal repairs or external repairs, we're going
to do what we have to do."
Updated on Friday, Jun 9, 2006 3:55 pm EDT
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06/14 21:25, , 1F
06/14 21:25, 1F