As always Javier Vazquez was awesome, and our offense scored enough to overcome the requisite homerun from Ryan Howard. I'm starting to think that Rafael Soriano has been overused this year. I was not watching the game as I was instead watching the Dawgs' offense... their defense stayed in Athens and did not make the trip.
0 recs | 29 comments
I officially dont want Raffy back in 2010
Like our starting rotation was last off-season, I think our bullpen should be our main focus of this upcoming off-season. I say we sign Roachy/trade for an everyday 1B within the first few weeks and then focus solely on the ’pen. Gonzo and Soriano make us sweat EVERY time they come in. Your 8th and 9th inning guys shouldnt do that.
Scott Coleman - September 19, 2009
Not every time.
Just more recently during the second half of the season – probably due to overuse and whatnot.
I hope we can get one of them back, cause when they’re on and rested they’re dominant. Moylan can handle 8th inning if needed. So I think we need at least one setup guy, keep one of Gonzo/Soriano, and then get a quality reliever or two.
ATLforlife - September 20, 2009
What is Cox thinking??
I am a huge baseball fan and I watch almost every team in the league. I don’t recall seeing a team who consistently throws there closer out there with a 6 run lead or down by 6. Why is Soriano out there almost every other day? With a 6 run lead, why is Raffy even pitching? I live in NY and I see the Yanks and the Mets and when I turn on the TV and I see Mariano pitching, I know the Yanks are up by less then 3, same thing with K-Rod. Throw in Valdez or Acosta and if they srtuggle you bring in your stopper
I would love to have Raffy back but I think that arm is taxed, just like Gonzo ans Moylan.
AlRoBraves95 - September 20, 2009
100% agree.
Soriano should not have been in the game.
For Bobby would burn him (with a severely struggling 28 pitch inning) with a 6 run lead and another big game tomorrow (today) is nothing less than insane.
fandave - September 20, 2009
Agree
We need to work some on the pen. I would rather not have Soriano back either. I’m not that sold on Gonzalez either but I think he’ll be the cheaper option of the 2. I could see LaRoach coming back for something like 2 years $20 million with 2 option years that are either player options or vesting options. I still think that we need to find another bat for the outfield but that will probably have to come via trade.
jack dein - September 20, 2009
the answer is simple – Derek Lowe.
justincredubil02 - September 20, 2009
I like how you think
But, there’s one big problem: that would give us a $12 million dollar closer. No thank you
Is there any chance we could pry Joe Nathan from the Twins? I’d LOVE to have him.
Scott Coleman - September 20, 2009
Why does it matter how much he is making
we are stuck with him either way. Good closer > average starter
esadb - September 20, 2009
If it was me, I’d probably let him start next season and see how he does and decide after that.
Another thing to consider is this: Frank Wren and Co. spent all last season acquiring and signing durable arms who would pitch a ton of innings for us. I’m not sure if they’re will to put a 200 inning guy inthe ’pen as a closer.
Scott Coleman - September 20, 2009
What makes you think he’d be a good closer at this point?
Lennox - September 20, 2009
I think it's a fair assumption th he would be a better closerthan a starter
But it’s only an assumption
esadb - September 20, 2009 via mobile
His salary is a non-issue. He is already covered and we don’t have to use any of our available funds to fill the CP need. We fill it internally (with Lowe) and use the money to sign a 1B and maybe 1 or 2 other BP arms. I am sure Arbitration will use a good chunk of change as well, and let’s not forget that we will have at least 2 bench players (Norton and Anderson) to replace.
justincredubil02 - September 20, 2009
Moving Lowe to closer is a creative option and might be the best option when we starting looking at available closers in the offseason. I could see probably 1 of the bullpen arms being filled internally. I think that both bench spots will be filled internally also probably with Conrad and Church. We might save some money by non-tendering Johnson to.
jack dein - September 20, 2009
non-tendering Johnson would be a mistake. We start him at 2b and use Prado in the way that we have used Infante over the past 2 seasons. Omar, as much as I like him, is the odd man out – unless the Braves for some reason want to carry 2 super utility guys.
justincredubil02 - September 20, 2009
Infante shouldn’t be the odd man out, there’s room for both him and Prado. Prado can play 3B, 1B, and 2B while Infante can play CF, SS, and 2B.
McCann's the Man - September 20, 2009
If the money Lowe is paid is a problem...
how much are you wanting to spend on an alternative? Nathan wouldn’t be cheap, neither will Soriano. Gonzo wouldn’t be as expensive, but then there’s a reason for that too. Lowe would be an expensive closer, but it’s not like the alternatives are cheap and he is already on the payroll (unless we can find someone to take that contract off our hands).
Mr. Sanchez - September 20, 2009
Finally we agree
ive been calling for this for a month or two
Doghnut - September 20, 2009
i think they are tired
they are both coming off short seasons and injuries their bodies arent able to handle the workload.
drumzalicious - September 20, 2009
LaRoche had a sore back; that’s why he left the game.
He may not play on Sunday (per ajc.)
ATLforlife - September 20, 2009
keep it the way it is........
DL was signed to be a starter and paid to be one. Trade either Hudson or Javy or KK for a power right-handed cleanup OF bat. (Holliday) Sign Adam LaRoche and bring back Raffy and Gonzo if you can. Let go of Norton and trade KJ for some bullpen or bench depth. Trafde Chruch, dont re-sign GA. Keep Matt Diaz as your everyday left fielder, Prado should stay at 2nd base…
AlRoBraves95 - September 20, 2009
You cant trade for a FA (Holliday)
McCann's the Man - September 20, 2009
Frank Wren can make it happen
blitzerlover - September 20, 2009
Cox does the opposite of what i would do with the pen.
GwinnettBraves - September 20, 2009 via mobile
Alright...
So if we win every game for the rest of the season (Which we legit can do if we get through tomorrow)…
Then the Rockies and every team under them would have to put on a .770 (10-3) record for the rest of the season for us not to catch them…
We need a 14 game winning streak right now.
SuperNewb - September 20, 2009
14 Straight
Weve done it before
bravesguy311 - September 20, 2009
Gondee, how come there is only 1 picture of the girls?
jimmontg - September 20, 2009
I don’t think we need to completely overhaul the pen but I don’t think Soriano should be back. Instead of putting 8-10 million into a relief pitcher, we should bring in 2-3 late inning guys that add up to that cost. Having quality depth in your pen is far more important than having one very good closer. Now if Soriano’s price tag has dropped to the 6M range then I’d reconsider but we need to bring in a couple of good arms so Acosta and Co. don’t have to see the field.
On a side note, Terry Pendleton is no longer the most inept coach in the Atlanta are, that honor now goes to Willie Martinez. UGA has some good defenders ie Curran, Gamble, Owens, Tyson, etc. but 41 points to Arkansas, seriously?
McCann's the Man - September 20, 2009
Keep on winning!
Great game, way to put yesterday’s loss behind us and move forward. A shaky ninth inning once again, but the fact of the matter is we needed a W and we got one.
Here’s hoping to an offensive outburst to support Hanson tomorrow!
BigG1392 - September 20, 2009
A true must win game today.
fandave - September 20, 2009
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