What To Do Now?
Everyone probably knows by now that the Atlanta Braves went out and got the guy they wanted, Derek Lowe. They have gone out and solidified their starting rotation, but now what? Atlanta is still not a playoff team.
If you look at their rotation you will notice one thing they all have in common. They are all right-handed. Every single one of them. Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, and Kenshin Kawakami are all right-handed pitchers. There needs to be a little variety in the starting rotation. That’s why I think they need to bring back Tom Glavine. He may not be what he used to be but the fact that he is left-handed gives him an advantage over other pitchers vying for the 5th spot in the rotation.
I would think if Glavine returns he would be given the 3rd spot in the rotation just because of the fact he is left-handed. Being able to throw different styles of pitching at an opponent is an underrated part of the game. If the other team knows you only have right-handed pitchers it will make it a lot easier for them to game plan against you. Hence the idea of bringing back Glavine.
I also think that if Glavine is physically able to pitch and the Braves don’t resign him there is going to be an outcry from Atlanta faithful. Already this season the Braves let long time favorite John Smoltz go and now if they were to let Glavine go things could get ugly around Atlanta.
Another addition I think the Braves need to make is resigning Will Ohman. He isn’t Brian Fuentes but he is a very good left-handed reliever that played really well for the Braves last year. Atlanta’s bullpen also lacks a wide array of pitchers, seeing that they are overloaded with right-handed pitchers. The only lefty in the bullpen is closer Mike Gonzalez. Atlanta needs to have a lefty specialist that can come in to face the murder’s row of left-handed batters that the NL East is home to. They include Carlos Delgado, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard. Atlanta has to have someone that can come in and get key outs when those guys are batting.
I would really like Atlanta to add a bat like Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher but the Yankees appear to be asking too much. Nick Swisher isn’t what he used to be a few years ago and Nady is only under contract for 2009. His agent is Scott Boras so it is safe to assume he won’t be sticking around for anything less than $700MM over 8 years. If things continue the way they are it doesn’t look like the Braves will be able to add another bat. If Jeff Francoeur can produce I don’t think adding a bat would even be needed.
In other baseball news it looks like Jason Varitek could be returning to the Red Sox. He wants to come back and I think Boston knows the fans want him back. They call him “Captain” for a reason. He is the heart and soul of that team, they need to bring Tek back. This should be an easy decision.
In more MLB news where is Manny Ramirez going to end up? The Angels don’t want him and the Dodgers don’t want to give him more than three years. Will the Giants take another risk on a super star becoming a huge bust (Barry Zito)?
Everyone knows the guy can hit but if he doesn’t get his money he will not be a happy Manny. And we all know an unhappy Manny can be a cancer to his baseball team. Boston found out the hard way.
~Ben
Hardball 
Ben, It’s interesting that all the current pitchers for the Braves are right-handed. I think you’re right that they need to bring Glavine back. I am feeling much more confident that Tek will be back after his one-on-one meeting with John Henry. And you hit the “Manny issue” on the head – a not happy Manny is a non producing Manny and NO one is going to risk a lot of money on that.
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
I wrote about Glavine yesterday. I so hope Varitex comes and signs with the Red Sox.
bob, http://bostonsports.mlblogs.com/
You’re right on needing to bring back Glavine. A lefty that’s not what he used to be is better than nothing but righties. I really hope that Javier Vazquez doesn’t give you the headaches he gave White Sox fans during the three years he was here. When the Sox were good, he was bad. When the Sox were bad, he was good. I hope he just needs to be in the National League to thrive.
Jen
http://ajroxmywhitesox.mlblogs.com
Ben,
Manny was a “cancer” to the team when he was unhappy. I remember I was in Maine for his final game, and we don’t get cable up there so I listened on the radio. Even though I couldn’t see anything, the Red Sox sounded lifeless. It was horrible, and when he got traded, I was in shock, but I knew it was what we needed to do if we were going to progress as a team.
Anyway, great analysis on the starting rotation. You definitely need a variety so teams can’t plot against you. Great call on Glavine too.
-Elizabeth
http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com
I think that Glavine wants to stay in Atlanta and the Braves really want him back, especially considering that he is left handed. Another guy that i think we could go after is Oliver Perez. We do have a pretty solid rotation but injuries will happen and Perez is left handed. I dont know if we will be able to get Ohman back because a lot of teams seem to be interested. Also how do you get videos in your blog?
Los, http://lcbraves.mlblogs.com
Love to see Glavine back in the mix if he proves to be healthy enough to pitch this spring. His veteran presence would certainly be a plus, and his style of pitching won’t be affected with nearly as many question marks as a power pitcher’s (Smoltz) would have been. Just my two cents there. That Manny video looks pretty fascinating – I will have to try and find that entire special.
http://grantmc.mlblogs.com
Ok Glavineisn’t going to get the Carlos Delgados, the Chase Utleys, and the Ryan Howards out every time, but it would be nice for him to be back. Jo-Jo Reyes is a lefty. He’s bad, but he is a lefty. I could see him starting a bit against the Phillies since they have the most dangerous left handed hitters. Maybe he will suddenly click and start playing good at the major league level.
http://darion.mlblogs.com/