Jared Wickerham - Getty Images
Eric O'Flaherty will be a key part of the Braves 2011 bullpen.
Since arriving to the Atlanta Braves in 2009, Eric O’Flaherty’s role with the team has primarily been as a situational pitcher, dealing with left-handed batters, a role he has performed very well. 2010 was no different, with the only exception being a case of mono, which shelved him on two separate occasions, cutting into almost eight entire weeks of the season.
O’Flaherty enjoyed a career-best 2.45 ERA in 44 innings pitched, over 56 appearances. He also notched a career best 7.4 K/9 ratio, striking out 36 batters in his limited duties. EOF stranded 79% of base-runners, and was extremely stingy with giving up home runs (0.4 HR/9). Most importantly, he did his job against the left-handed batters, limiting them to a .231 batting average, and on-base percentage of a meager .277. Injuries and ineffectiveness from other relievers thrust O’Flaherty into a little more playing time than was expected, but Eric did not falter. Against right-handed batters, there were noticeably more walks, but he still held them to an impressive .229 batting average.
It’s hard to say whether Eric O’Flaherty will still be a Brave in 2011. Entering his first year of arbitration, could price him out beyond what the Braves are willing to spend towards a situational lefty. However, with the trade of Michael Dunn in the Dan Uggla deal doesn't hurt his chances now. Jonny Venters is a candidate to close, and will be responsible for higher-leverage, late-inning situations, so the need for what Michael Dunn would have fulfilled is now vacant for EOF.
0 recs | 8 comments
i dont think we can afford to let him go
if we get rid of moylan and oflahrity then our bullpen seems real thin with just venters and kimbrel
willlinn - November 23, 2010
Deja Vu. Where have I seen that picture from??
or
Talk about lazy journalism for using the same picture for Venter’s review.
All kidding aside. EOF had a pretty good year.
The Braves bullpen was the most dominant I can ever remember seeing them. It’s just a shame the offense was so bad that we couldn’t go deeper into the playoffs. If the bullpen can remain just as electric next year, this team is a World Series caliber team now that the offense has gotten some added pop.
Spring Training seems so far off. :(
Sparhawk - November 23, 2010
He’ll be plenty affordable after arbitration and his performance is worth it. I see him as a lock to be afforded arbitration and retained. He’s the reason Wren felt free to trade Dunn.
redwards95 - November 23, 2010
Uggla is on twitter now, twitter.com/danuggla. I’m worried, he’s following Brittney Spears and A-Rod.
MBL1 - November 23, 2010 via mobile
Hmmmm, that is a bit odd. I could see Moylan following them for laughs, but I don’t know much about Uggla to say that.
Sparhawk - November 23, 2010
I wouldn’t call him a situational lefty. Besides his walk rate being a little high, he handled righties just as good as lefties.
Braves24 - November 23, 2010
EOF is a good, solid LOOGY
Something every team needs. I don’t think the Braves release him, now that they’ve dealt Dunn.
Jacob Peterson - November 23, 2010
Same here...
I could see one of the 3 (including Venters) in a deal, and now that’s done with Dunn, you keep the other two.
Mr. Sanchez - November 24, 2010
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