Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Greg Maddux: Back to Atlanta?
It feels like it's been forever since I've written a blog. I had to take a break folks. While I love to write (especially about the Braves), it seems it's most enjoyable when I am in the thick of things. In other words, school has already started back for me, so you should be seeing a post here and there.
I am taking 12 hours this summer at Macon State. I am pretty sure that if I didn't have a girlfriend who is anxious to have a ring on her finger, I would've taken the summer off. She is ready for me to graduate. Heck, I'm ready to graduate. This has been 5 years too long.
My courses this semester are as follows:
-Contemporary Literature (Senior Lit. Class)
-Professional Communication (not what you think... doesn't involve speaking...more like professional writing)
-Speculative Fiction (should be interesting... way too much reading though)
-Spanish 1002 (I hate it)
Okay, now that I've caught you up, let's get to the good stuff-- the Braves.
If you've been keeping up with them while I've been gone, then you've probably noticed that they are red hot. I mean, burning. Now, are they winning every game? No. Do you have to win every game to be "red hot"? No.
I think their consistency as a team has provided much to their success. The Braves have a bullpen that is simply saying, "Go 5 innings, we'll take care of the rest." This is huge, folks. The Braves bullpen are missing 3 very powerful arms that will be soon returning-- Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez, and the man himself, John Smoltz.
So, what happens when the Braves have to make room on their roster for these returning forces?
Get rid of 3 players and simply trade for another. It's as simple as that. Or at least, that's the talk around town.
Bill Shanks from 105.5 the Fan mentioned today that he wouldn't be surprised to see Greg Maddux in a Braves uniform by the end of the summer. To be honest with you, this surprised me. You would think the Braves would be looking for another young arm similar to something like Jair Jurrjens. Well, it's not that easy. Afterall, Mr. Jurrjens is up for Rookie of the Year.
With the Braves bullpen only going to get stronger, why not go after Maddux? Not only would this be an awesome story with Smoltz, Glavine, and Maddux all on the same team again, but it would be beneficial for a Braves starting rotation. Maddux will give the Braves a solid 6 innings leaving the even stronger Braves bullpen (Gonzalez, Soriano, and Smoltz) to finish things off. Plus, Maddux will not be that expensive in the middle of the year.
If Maddux returns to Atlanta, this is my guess of what things will look like:
Starting Rotation:
1. Tim Hudson
2. Jair Jurrjens
3. Greg Maddux
4. Tom Glavine
5. Jo Jo Reyes/Jorge Campillo/Jeff Bennett/who else?
Bullpen:
1. John Smoltz
2. Mike Gonzalez
3. Rafael Soriano
4. Will Ohman
5. Blaine Boyer
6. Manny Acosta/others
Folks, that's pretty solid pitching entering August, September, and yes, October.
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5 comments:
It's about time this loaded lineup started to produce some runs on the road so we win somewhere else besides Turner Field. Francouer is feast or famine, Teixeira leaves a little something to be desired, and if Yunel doesn't get on base (tonight's loss against Brewers), then we are in trouble. I hate to see Hudson not get credit for a great night of pitching. Pick it up Braves, the pennant could be ours.
Good that you are back. I missed your Braves Blogs. I hope you are right about Greg Maddux. Do you think we can afford him.
Uncle R.
Uncle Rudy,
It doesn't appear that Maddux will ask for much being that it would be a middle/towards the end of the season trade. However, we will have to give up a strong minor league prospect (something like a Brandon Jones) and some money in order to land him. Won't be too much of a problem in my book.
James,
I can tell you wrote your comment directly after the game. Your frustration is obvious. Oh, and you totally took the steam out of my next blog. Ha. So much for that. Great comments nonetheless.
Like you, I was most frustrated that Hudson didn't get any run support. He did his job. The offense didn't cap it like they have been doing.
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