ATLANTA -- Any time I've talked to John Smoltz, it has felt less like an interview than a normal conversation.The Braves' ace -- yes, after all these years, he's still their ace -- is notoriously outspoken (remember his scathing, but true, comments about Citizens Bank Park). And when I set out to chat with Smoltz on Saturday about Brett Myers' move to the bullpen and his subsequent shoulder injury, he was predictably opinionated.
Without provokation, Smoltz said he couldn't understand why the Phillies would move a starter with as much talent as Myers to the bullpen, especially in the middle of a season. Even after acknowledging the Phillies' dire need for relief pitching, Smoltz said he thinks Myers is more valuable as a starter.
Needless to say, the Phillies weren't happy with him.
But it's hard to argue. Myers throws four pitches, and until last week, he's always been durable. He's also capable of throwing 200 innings every season, a trait that few pitchers possess. Smoltz, of course, knows what he's talking about. Last week, he became the first pitcher ever to have 200 wins and 150 saves in his career. If I'm ever privileged enough to have a Hall of Fame vote, I'll cast one for Smoltz.
The Myers move is hardly permanent. Ruben Amaro Jr. said today that the Phillies will determine his role for 2008 after this season. It's entirely possible, if the Phillies can find the bullpen help they crave, that he could return to the rotation. Of course, if they can get another starter and Myers continues to have success as a closer, he could remain in that role.
What do you think? After this season, would you rather see Myers pitching every fifth day as a starter or trotting in from the bullpen to pitch the ninth inning as the closer?
5 comments:
I'd love to see Myers as the staff ace. Early in the season, his high ERA was caused by a problem with his arm angle, a problem he's presumably fixed since then, as evidenced by his sub-3.00 ERA out of the 'pen. I think Rowand's gotta be dealt to the Pads for flame-thrower Andrew Brown. Hopefully we'd be able to get him back after the season as a free-agent, but if not, Michael Bourn's looked pretty capable, though he won't hit for much power. To get a power reliever like Brown (who hits 95 with regularity) for the replaceable Rowand would be excellent. Let's keep the young blood going on this team. Bourn in center would bring some young energy, as would Brown. I'd love to see a trade for either Brown or Jose Capellan from the Brewers. Both would help a lot in the long-run. Someone like Scott Mathieson should be the closer of the future, not someone like Brett Myers.
Rob makes a good point. Why not deal Aaron Rowand? I personally believe that he will not be able to keep up his level of play and I think his ability level is closer to the way he played last year than it is to the way he is playing this year. I have been begging for Bourn to get some playing time and finally he has recently. He has been very good as well. Obviously, as Rob points out, you lose a little power with Bourn over Rowand, but you also have a real nice table setter at the bottom of the lineup. Additionally, I think Bourn is better defensively than Rowand. For some reason, people seem to think Rowand is a high caliber defensive player. That is simply not the case. He has made numerous poor plays just in the last couple weeks. Additionally, Bourn's speed would make up for Pat Burrell and the three pound cement blocks that reside in his sneakers. So, as Rob said, I'd go ahead and deal Rowand for some bullpen help if possible. If not, I'd take what you can get for him even if its some good solid young arms.
And if it's true that Rowand's level of play is closer to last year's performance than it is of this year's, he's GOT to be dealt. The Pads have been looking for a bat. The Pads have one of the best bullpens in baseball. There's simply no room for Brown, who's said to be major-league ready. If I'm Pat Gillick, I pull the trigger on this trade without batting an eyelash. You don't find many guys with these kind of stats:
http://thebaseballcube.com/players/B/andrew-brown.shtml
And to get someone like him for Aaron Rowand, who's been playing above his head, would be great. It would show that Gillick's serious about improving this team and this bullpen.
rowands defense is atrocious. he's too risky out there. and his level of play will come back down to normal i think. although he's changed his swing a little, i still don't think it can stay there. you can lose an OF bat when you have power production coming from 2b and SS. so bourn in CF would be fine in my opinion.
scott mathieson was once said to be a possible closer guy. throws high 90's(hit 99 last year a couple of times) and throws a nasty slider. perfect closer pitches. moving myers back into the rotation when freddy leaves and having scott in the back of the bullpen and another young hard thrower would do wonders for this team next year.
Rob, Matt In Philadelphia & Jamie: Thanks, as always, for the awesome comments. You guys really make the Blog go.
One point that needs to be made: Myers will be a reliever for the duration of the season. When he became a reliever, he told the Phillies he didn't want to bounce back and forth between the rotation and bullpen. So, if Myers goes back to starting, it won't be before 2008.
At this point, the Phillies need to be careful about trading Rowand. While I agree that Rowand's value is higher now than it may ever be, I don't think Bourn is ready to be an everyday player. If the Phillies were a second-division team, they could afford to let Bourn learn on the job. That isn't the case, though.
Also, I highly doubt the Padres will trade Andrew Brown for Rowand, and I know for sure the outfield-rich Brewers (they already have Bill Hall, Kevin Mench, Geoff Jenkins, Cory Hart and Tony Gwynn Jr.) aren't interested in Rowand for Jose Capellan.
If Mathieson hadn't gotten hurt, he may be pitching in the Phils' bullpen right now. Ultimately, I think he has the stuff to be a closer. But we have to wait and see how he comes back from Tommy John surgery. Until then, you can't consider him a sure thing.
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