Starting Pitchers, Waivers, and The Marlins

[Mainge]

He's consistently hit 92-93 in the starts I've seen and he does have 33 k's in 40 ip so the breaking stuff seems to be there.

[wanks1212]

One could argue that Smoltz has been unlucky with his BABIP and that will adjust, bringing down his H/9. But given his age and recent injury history, I would need to know more about what his stuff (and velocity) look like in order to say for sure that he's not just very hittable at this point. Though, sadly, his K/9 is still higher than Volstad's.

His velocity is down a shade and, going by Pitch F/X data, he doesn't have quite as much movement as he used to, but he's still got decent movement on his pitches.

I'd rather have Volstad starting than Smoltz, and probably woudl rather have RVH, even though RVH is likely a 4-6 inning pitcher. But Smoltz is a better option in the #5 spot than West (even with West having a nice first two innings so far tonight) and I like Smoltz better than Anibal down the stretch, primarily because of Anibal's injury issues and Anibal not pitching all that well even when healthy.

Unfortunately, I doubt the Marlins would use Anibal in the bullpen when he's healthy. That doesn't seem to make much sense with the way they're preparing him. And I doubt Smoltz would bump Volstad from the rotation, and even moving RVH may be dicey.

That said, if the team is willing to put Smoltz in the #5 spot he's a risk worth taking. But if they want him in the bullpen, it may not work. Not because Smoltz wouldn't work as a long reliever, but more because Smoltz may not want to pitch out of the bullpen. If Smoltz is open to being moved around from rotation to bullpen, then go for it, but if the possibility of Smoltz pitching in the bullpen is a deal breaker, then don't do it.

[nny]

yeah, if Smoltz would stay in the BP, I imagine he'd have stayed in Boston

[Omar]

The "veteran presence" effect (as in he is going to make our current pitchers better) is so overrated, IMO. At this point, he's got to worry more about getting his own shit together and not embarrassing himself that I highly doubt he's going to be able to devote much time to 'mentoring' the other guys.

How is it overrated to teach/sharpen a younger guy's pitch? Or teach him how to be more consistent on his arm slot? Maybe have a better routine?

These things rub off on players very easily, even if it's merely by example.
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They just made John Smoltz the "Jaguar Performer of the Day" or whatever it's called during our broadcast. Take it for what it's worth.

[Swifty]

From Jayson Stark:

The Smoltz Watch: If the Red Sox wind up releasing John Smoltz, which seems likely, the list of teams interested in signing him for the prorated minimum salary might be larger than people think. A number of clubs were gathering information on Smoltz this week -- from the teams we've heard a lot about (the Rangers and Dodgers) to teams we haven't (the Marlins and Astros).
But one of the big questions is: Does the 2009 edition of John Smoltz profile better as a starter or as a reliever? The numbers suggest he ought to head back to the bullpen. Over his past seven starts, his ERA over the first two innings was 0.64, and opponents hit just .196 against him.

"What I saw," said one scout who watched him recently, "is, the first time through the order, it's good."

There have been some indications that Smoltz would consider a return to the 'pen if it was the right team and the right situation. But even as a bullpen weapon, Smoltz would have his limitations.
"You'd be signing him to be a multi-inning guy who could maybe pitch two or three innings," said an official of one team with back-burner interest. "But the problem is, then he'd have to sit for two or three days. You couldn't use him back-to-back."

Nevertheless, he's still John Smoltz, one of the most intelligent and competitive pitchers of his time. So he could help some of these teams just by walking through the door.

"Can you imagine the impact he could make on a team like Florida?" mused one exec. "How valuable would he be to the young guys on that staff, just to be around him and pick his brain?"

[MiamiHomer]

I know we need a SP and after reading that article it wouldn't be likely but damn would Smoltz look nice as a closer again.

Also been getting this update from following the Marlins on facebook.

The Marlins are looking for pitching help, and John Smoltz is exploring new job opportunities.

Whether the two sides come together remains a long-shot at this point. But that doesn't mean the organization isn't considering the prospect of adding the veteran right-hander, who was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Aug. 7.

If he is not traded before 2 p.m. ET on Monday, Smoltz becomes a free agent. If the Marlins swing a deal for Smoltz, they'd be looking at picking up the remainder of his salary. The daily breakdown would be about $35,000, unless the Red Sox agree to pick up a large bulk of the remaining contract.

According to a source, teams believed to have interest in Smoltz are the Marlins, Cardinals, Dodgers and Rangers.

The 42-year-old right-hander could be open to either starting or pitching out of the bullpen. The Marlins have a need for both.

Smoltz last pitched on Aug. 6 in the Red Sox's loss to the Yankees. He threw 3 1/3 innings that day, giving up eight runs while walking four. He was 2-5 with an 8.33 ERA in eight starts for Boston.

In his stellar career, which started in Atlanta in 1988, Smoltz has a 212-152 record with a 3.32 ERA. He also has 154 saves.

In Atlanta, he worked closely with Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez, who formerly was the Braves third base coach.

"I think he's a tremendous competitor and a good guy," Gonzalez said of Smoltz, noting that he couldn't say anything regarding the Marlins possibily acquiring the veteran.

-- Joe Frisaro

[Bobbob1313]

Heck, trade a B minus prospect to get him for free..

so you'd trade chris coghlan for 9 starts from John Smoltz when he could potentially be had for the prorated minimum in 4 days?

[Swifty]

I wouldn't trade Coghlan because he's not a prospect any more. I'd trade Scott Cousins or John Raynor for him, though.

And, as I've said before, the reason I advocate trading for him is that I have my doubts he'd sign with us were he to reach free agency. If we want him, we cannot leave it to chance.

[MiamiHomer]

The Red Sox released John Smoltz, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.

And here...we....go.

[Ramp]

And here...we....go.

[FishTankFan]

This could be a good pick up I don't know how well he would do in the rotation but I think as a closer he would fit in nice here.

It would add another vet arm to the pen which it needs it, and just having him on the team would be good lets not forget he's won 212, and saved 154 games!

This guy knows how to pitch... He might be getting old but his very presence will help.

[Party]

Didn't help the Red Sox.

[Beef]

Yeah. PWG gon be mad, but to just assume he will help for some reason being that he once was very good at pitching is silly.

It could indeed be a nice pickup.

But to say just having him on the team would be nice because of his career numbers is like saying just having Nolan Ryan on the team right now would be great.

[FishTankFan]

All im saying is it wouldn't hurt us I don't think...

[Ramp]

If utilized correctly (imo, the bullpen), I think Smoltz can be a big boost to the team