Office debate

The Maddux-to-Atlanta speculation is growing, and it makes too much sense not to happen, assuming:

1.) The Padres don't ask for too much and;

2.) The Braves don't implode over the next few weeks.

CD isn't opposed, but doesn't view Maddux as a considerable upgrade over Chuckie or Jo-Jo. I haven't given up on Reyes -- there were positives in his start last night -- but clearly he's not going to develop as rapidly as Kid Dyn-O-Mite. From either lefty, I've come to expect 5 to 6 IP/4 to 5 RunsAlllowed.

Maddux, circa 2008: 6 to 7 IP, 3 to 4 RA (on average).

Mad Dog pitched 198 innings last year, and is on a similar pace in '08: 50 IP through the season's first quarter. Chuckie or Jo-Jo won't come close to that, and Maddux will be out there every fifth day, like always.

No one's a better competitor, so while it may not make a major difference in his performance, you know he's not inclined to be shown up by Glavine or Smoltzie.

And there's this: He's the greatest pitcher of his generation. Hell, I wish the '82 Braves could've figured out a way to activate Bob Gibson, a move that was seriously discussed by the Braves hierarchy.

You could argue those Braves had more rotation depth, regardless of what we were told about this year's pitching reserves.

So what do you think? Would Maddux be a difference-maker for this year's Braves, or would he amount to little more than a nostalgic salve?

--CB

Comments

atlpaddy, Excuse me, Kevin McGlinchy, not McGlinchey. Pretty good setup man as a rookie for the Braves in 1999: 2.82 ERA with nearly a strikeout per inning. Blew out an elbow in early 2000, and never pitched again in the bigs.

[Mike Lum]

Willie M in favor of bringing Mad Dog back? This is great!

[atlpaddy]

Tokyokie, what's this mythical 'McGlinchey' you speak of?

Otherwise, I'm of the opinion of a lot of others in this post - if we can get Doggie, and get him cheap/for relatively little, then I say why not? The guy almost always makes his starts and we are dying for six solid innings from the back of our rotation.

[rankin' rob]

Frank Wren in an off the record chat a week ago said that this was fun to talk about but was highly unlikely to happen.

[CD]

Actually, I do think Maddux would be an upgrade over Chucky and Jo-Jo. I'm just not overly excited about bringing back another guy my age. I'm not against it, necessarily, just not enthused. Looking at the numbers, Maddux has been better than I thought this year. He gave up 9 earned in a start against Arizona. Other than that, he's been solid, even away from Petco.

[Willie Montanez]

I am all for the Maddux trade as well - I don't think you are going to find a better #3/#4 available at a reasonable cost.

Yeah I would only approve if we didn't have to give up a lot for him.

I did see where SD just dropped Edmonds (who subsequently signed with the Cubs); I doubt they'd release Maddux, but if we could get some kind of cash + player-to-be-named-later deal then that might be intriguing.

[wuky]

He'd probably draw more folks to the ballpark, and something like that could ignite the team. Also, I kinda like the idea of Glavine, Smoltz, Huddy and Mad Dog all competing with each other.

[jjschiller]

I'm for it, but only if the cost is right (which could mean very little talent swapped, or, some talent but a larger chunk of salary paid by San Diego.)

The knock on Greg is that he's "only" a six-inning pitcher. But last I checked, a six-inning pitcher who makes all 34 of his starts, is going to throw 204 innings. Two-hundred and four innings of even league-average baseball is going to make a huge difference later in the year, after the way we've taxed the bullpen thus far.

[Tokyokie]

By the way, what's the prognosis on Lerew? He pitched well in his one start while healthy last year. I'm figuring he could possibly be back in late August. Of course, he could also go the way of Kevin McGlinchey and never be heard from again.

[Tokyokie]

I think we'll need to give Reyes and Chuckie (or perhaps Morton) a bit more time, because at some point, probably next season, most, if not all, of the 35+ pitchers we have on staff or might add are going to hang it up.