We’re live from Braves’ miracle watch (day 21)
Javier Vazquez is be pitching for own future, as well as Braves.
Frank Wren went into the off-season last a year ago knowing he would need to add starting pitching. He will go into the off-season this year realizing he needs to subtract.
One obvious conclusion: “It will probably be a little less stressful this winter,” the Braves general manager said.
Somewhat. But a significant issue has been hanging over the Braves all season, and the core of that issue was on the mound Wednesday night. Javier Vazquez, the same pitcher whose heart and big-game ability was questioned last season by the Chicago White Sox’ turbo-lipped manager, Ozzie Guillen, has been Atlanta’s best starter this season. He went into the Florida game with a 15-9 record and 2.83 ERA (4-0, 1.93 in this improbable September).
There’s also a chance he was starting his final game as a Brave.
“I’m not going to get into our decision-making, and I don’t know, quite frankly, what we’re going to do,” Wren said. “We’ll sit down and look at all of our options. It just depends how we configure our ballclub. At the end of the day, it’s how do we put the best team on the field and what 25 players allow us to do that.”
This topic has been debated ad nauseam. The problem is that the season is about to expire, and we’re no closer to clarity. The Braves have six starting pitchers and one has to go – not just to the bullpen, but to another team. Payroll says this. Logic screams it.
The thought of dealing Vazquez seems ludicrous, even with a poor outing Wednesday. Imagine what the top of the rotation would look like next season with these three starters and their respective ERAs: Vazquez (2.83), Tommy Hanson (2.98) and Jair Jurrjens (2.61). But the only thing we know for certain is Hanson and Jurrjens will be here. We also know Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami probably will be here because they carry bloated contracts that don’t nearly match their production. It’s likely no other team would touch them even in a normal economic climate, let alone amid today’s global budget-shrinkage.
That leaves Vazquez and Tim Hudson. Hudson has a $12 million option for next season. He has looked pretty good since coming off Tommy John surgery, Tuesday’s 5-4 loss to Florida notwithstanding. If you’re the Braves, can you just let him walk?
The answer should be yes. Hudson hasn’t been the dominant top-of-the-rotation starter the Braves hoped for when they acquired him. Now is not the time to assume he’s going to turn into that. If it’s really about keeping the best guys, Vazquez stays and Hudson goes.
Here’s Wren on Hudson at his non-committal best before the game: “He’s come back and he’s shown us that he’s healthy and he’s able to pitch at this level. When we get to the appropriate time, we’ll announce our decision on how we’ll move forward.”
I’m guessing he would’ve given the same answer if I asked, “What do you think? Plums or peaches next week at Kroger?”
It was clear Vazquez did not have his best stuff Wednesday. Through three innings, he had already allowed three runs (though only one earned), five hits, a wild pitch, a hit batter and a ground ball through the legs of Chipper Jones. Then came a two-run homer in the fifth. That said, he has had a career-best season. It’s odd, given the Braves are his fifth team in the past seven seasons, and he was ripped by Guillen late last season for not coming through in the clutch.
Wren obviously disagrees. Consider what Vazquez has done in September and on the road this season:10-2, 2.80. (Strangely, he has struggled on the road.)
“Knowing Javy from afar, and now seeing him up close, I think he’s as solid as a rock,” Wren said. “We thought we were getting a real good starting pitcher. He had a history of durability and going to the post. He’s lived up to it.”
Maybe not Wednesday. But he’s a better option than Hudson.
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461 comments Add your comment
Ronald Millsaps
September 30th, 2009
8:32 pm
Matt Diaz batted nearly .500 at leadoff. Why NOT put him back there?
Nate McLouth is a strong leadoff hitter, but he also has some pop. Maybe we should move him to “three”, and Chipper to “five.” I’m serious.
This team has a strong roster, but the ownership is downright awful. Heck, it’s too cheap to provide a decent payroll. (We could’ve used Gregor Blanco as a pinch-runner last night, but we didn’t have him on the bench. Why not? Money.)
Actually, scratch that answer. Not “money”; not “lack of money”… apathy.
Javier Vazquez seems to have settled down. Now we need Atlanta’s offense to get going. You have to show patience and not press. You’ve got to play with poise and a sense of urgency. You can’t do what the TBS studio guys suggested the other day and make adjustments for the sake of making adjustments. You also should not make adjustments solely by the scoreboard, even if it’s your own. The game is more complex than that.
candler willis
September 30th, 2009
8:33 pm
Well once again javier cant when the big game game!!! Thats why chicago gave him too us he pitches good when we just need a win but he is not a smolts maddux or glavin he cant when when it all rides on him GOOD YEAR thOUGH BRAVES
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:33 pm
3 more strikeouts in the bottom of the 5th is what’ll be cooking at Carabba’s Italian Grill. Haha!
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:33 pm
Counting down the days to postseason baseball 2009. Go Phillies!
Tyler
September 30th, 2009
8:33 pm
If the Braves were ever curious, this is why no one has shown up for these final games, It is much easier to be disappointed via the TV than it is live at Turner Field. Also, much less expensive!
JEFF
September 30th, 2009
8:34 pm
and frank wren is an idiot. Im sorry why in the world did u sign bobby cox for another yr.. are we not in the playoff chase?. he sure isnt managing like it.. it will be the same old crap next yr.. and tonight u are letting vasquez just go out there and let the marlins score at will.. man I have more respect for jim tracy than this joke of bobby cox.. because tracy takes chances and cox just sits on his fat butt and picks his nose and doesnt manage a ball game..
Jeff Schultz
September 30th, 2009
8:36 pm
OK, so now that I’ve recast the blog lead screaming about Javier Vazquez’ greatness for an EARLY print column for the nether regions, it’s time to completely rewrite for nearing the last shovel of dirt ending this playoff race. Barring a comeback, of course.
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:36 pm
Come on Anderson. Strike out already.
Tyler
September 30th, 2009
8:36 pm
10K now, how many will there be at the end? Guesses anyone?
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:37 pm
Heck yes. Strike out for Anderson. Muhahahahahahhaha!
JEFF
September 30th, 2009
8:37 pm
8 in a row and 11 k’s ur season is over .. thank Goodness for Hockey Season…
Dallas
September 30th, 2009
8:37 pm
This is getting hard to watch… at least GA ran, good hustle Mac
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:38 pm
Strike out Yunel Escobar!
Tyler
September 30th, 2009
8:39 pm
EMBARRASSING
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:39 pm
Haha! I so love this.
Phillies take the lead and the Braves are choking. Early Christmas gift to me.
JEFF
September 30th, 2009
8:39 pm
12 outs now out of 15. lets go for 20 while were at it. set a major league record..
PJ
September 30th, 2009
8:39 pm
Tyler, spot on!!!! This whole decade has been one of disappointment for Braves fans.
Don
September 30th, 2009
8:40 pm
Who’s worse with good talent. Bobby cox or willie martinez?
I knew this team would fall apart. And the morons were saying hey go to the game. No thanks. I’d rather watch reruns of Seinfeld. I feel sorry for anyone suckered into going to this game.
1 in 14 Bobby. Nice percentage. The law of averages says you should get 3.
Dallas
September 30th, 2009
8:40 pm
Season on the line and we’re trying to have the record for strikeouts in a game set on us… I’m not looking forward to watching all the highlight shows who have been hyping us up the last two days laugh at our effort tonight. This is just pathetic… and I’m by NO means a fair weather fan.
Rico Carty
September 30th, 2009
8:40 pm
We have got to get Greg Norton in this game to give us some kind of spark.
NCBravesFan
September 30th, 2009
8:41 pm
I blame Bobby for all those strikeouts. The dry weather in the desert, drops that spot your dishes in the dishwasher, the Hindenburg Disaster and perhaps the Titanic as well can also be laid at his feet.
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:41 pm
New decade = CHOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:42 pm
Dangit Flordia. Quit striking out already!
Kevin
September 30th, 2009
8:42 pm
down 5-0 we done rockies win wild card and phillies win east…bye bye cox n TP and tell chipper his wonderful i don’t care showed yesterday lost 2 on 1out what those the wonderfull not a hall of fame did ground into double play we lose rocks win. So chipper did when the Hall of shame for his great Non- Leadership role.The fork is in we done! Its wait till 2011 now since i remember Bobby cox is comin back to pick his nose again n i bet TP be here to….
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:43 pm
Hahah! 2011.
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:44 pm
Nolasco for NL Cy Young!
the Truth...
September 30th, 2009
8:44 pm
What is the Braves’ win-loss for the season with Chipper playing and without Chipper playing?
Seems to me that stats like that go a long way to revealing some of our problems this year…
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:45 pm
Make sure to have your heating or cooling systems professionally checked!
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:45 pm
Homerun Coghlan!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE.
Kevin
September 30th, 2009
8:45 pm
Candy color clown they call the bobby cox go to sleep its over its over!!
Zach
September 30th, 2009
8:45 pm
Jeff,
How many players are going to swing a balls when they strike out? McClouth is the worst, ball are almost hitting and he’s swinging at them.
We have no energy, looks like they’ve given up after last night.
NCBravesFan
September 30th, 2009
8:45 pm
Chris Coghlan batting for the 743rd time in this series …
Ronald Millsaps
September 30th, 2009
8:46 pm
“my”– I’m not giving up, but how many times have we seen the Braves respond this way in this situation? Look at Game 6 of the 1998 NLCS, for example: After trailing, 3-0, and winning the next two games, Atlanta returns home and loses, 5-0.
the Truth...
September 30th, 2009
8:47 pm
Yep, the toast is done…going to stop switching between O’Reilly and the Bravos and just watch the rest of O’Reilly….
Zach
September 30th, 2009
8:47 pm
NCBravesFan: just be glad you’re not watching the marlins broadcast. They can’t talk about anything but Coghlan. It is HORRIBLE!
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:48 pm
Come on Coghlan. Step your game up and make this 7-0.
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:48 pm
Thanks a lot Coghlan. You suck.
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:49 pm
Brewers fail to score in the first. Heck yes!
NCBravesFan
September 30th, 2009
8:49 pm
Zach: I feel your pain!
Zach
September 30th, 2009
8:50 pm
“Coghlan just missed that one, McCann must of pushed him a little to distract him. Thats why the ball didn’t go over the fence, because Coghlan is God!” -Marlins Announcers
Kevin
September 30th, 2009
8:50 pm
Your wish will come true and remember …..No more bread n butter no more toast n jam that what Bobby cox made us swear again
WisePatH2Follow
September 30th, 2009
8:50 pm
There’s your answer to last night’s question, “Where’s the crowds?” You get a much larger crowd tonight and the Braves are playing like Zombies. I gave up on then when they quit late night vs the Marlins on August 21. Joe Simpson knows what I’m talking about.
Josh Mac
September 30th, 2009
8:51 pm
Bobby, will the Phillies’ division title be a little bittersweet since you won’t have any friend to celebrate with?
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:51 pm
Dangit! This is not good. Go Fish!
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:52 pm
No. My entire family and friends are diehard Phillies fans like me.
Bobby Colton
September 30th, 2009
8:52 pm
Hey Braves fans. Your MVP is on deck in the form of Norton.
MightyQuinn
September 30th, 2009
8:52 pm
With every Braves strike out, I am having increasingly vivid flashbacks to the ‘97 NLCS and Eric Gregg’s wider than his substantial arse strike zone for Livan “Tub of Goo” Hernandez. What was that, 15 Ks that game?
Eddy
September 30th, 2009
8:52 pm
I use to go to Braves games. When it was convientent. I use to live in Brookhaven. I never took Marta. What I did do was walk to Jocks n Jills. They had a free shuttle bus that would take you there and drive you back. Of course you would leave a couple of bucks for the driver. Cheaper than marta. And they would drop you off right at the gate. But then they closed and I moved shortly after. taking marta is a joke. First the miscrients that ride on it. Second, the fact it doesn’t even go to TF. Real nice. In my mid 20s’ and beyond, there were several times I was out in butthead having a drink after work. Often I would talk to people and we would have loved to have been able to jump on marta in downtown bh to go to the game. Again, impossible. They finally built marta there but even then, it was a hike from the bar district on either side and of course marta came no where near TF. So thank the city of atlanta for their greed in not wanting marta to go near fulton cty stad. they cared more about their parking tax. so now i go to maybe 1 game a year. and that’s why atlanta doesn’t go. sure for a few years when we finally had a team that made it to the playoffs we went. but over time you realize it ain’t worth it. and when you put a crap product out there that underachieves primarily because of the coach, well i could care less. phillips and the dome are much more convienent. going to u2 next week and taking marta.
Kevin
September 30th, 2009
8:54 pm
what bobby cox goin say when the Phillies repeat as world series champs again….he say as he picks his nose it way baseball is the ball go n do crazy things for u blah blah and so forth…what he really sayin..I choke why u think i left Toronto in 1985…i do same here in atlanta later!
Zach
September 30th, 2009
8:54 pm
Norton has only ten more hits than I do, and I’m sitting on my couch