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Maddux-Braves Speculation
It's pure speculation at this point, but MLB.com Braves beat writer Mark Bowman believes the Braves could bring Greg Maddux back for another tour. Braves fans seem to like the idea, based on chat questions I received yesterday.
The Braves' rotation of Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens, Tom Glavine, Jo-Jo Reyes, and Chuck James/Jeff Bennett could seemingly use an innings eater. Maddux is usually good for six decent innings, and he's healthy at 42. He makes $10MM this year and has no-trade protection. The Padres probably wouldn't demand any of the Braves' top five prospects. A Maddux-Smoltz-Glavine reunion seems entirely possible to me.
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I mean it makes sense, a guy who will be a help us now move and will come at a much cheaper price than other options would. Plus, he is effective, and due to the way he pitches, is not really an injury concern. I would love to bring him in, but not in a panic mode move and give up a potential critical piece of the future in the process.
Posted by: bravesbeast | May 14, 2008 at 09:48 AM
" Braves fans seem to like the idea,"
Everybody should like this idea.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | May 14, 2008 at 10:03 AM
I'd love to see it. They're not going anywhere this year, apparently, so why not have something to be excited about?
Posted by: daslied | May 14, 2008 at 10:14 AM
It's not a bad idea, but the whole thing just screams "publicity stunt," you know? And Smoltz said it himself: "You can't have a whole rotation of old farts." I'd much rather bring Maddux back for a year with the understanding he'd take over as pitching coach in '09.
Posted by: FineHamAbounds | May 14, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Bring back Maddux!
We need to get the band back together!
Posted by: XD23 | May 14, 2008 at 10:39 AM
"with the understanding he'd take over as pitching coach in '09."
Now tell me...Exactly what has Roger McDowell done wrong so far?
Posted by: ksesxe | May 14, 2008 at 10:47 AM
I would not write the braves off just yet... Soriano, Smoltz, and Gonzalez are all coming back to the bullpen, and Teixera, Kelly Johnson, and Frenchy have yet to consistiently get going on offense. The braves are still in this by all means.
Posted by: bravesbeast | May 14, 2008 at 10:50 AM
because 3.5 games out means the Braves are apparently going nowhere this year. Only the Indians have allowed fewer runs this season.
Posted by: baleen | May 14, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I thought Smoltz was heading to the pen... Did that idea get shot down or am I misremembering things?
Posted by: BrianTX | May 14, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I know they're still in it, but as a 25-year fan I have the right to bitch a little. :)
Posted by: daslied | May 14, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Maddux to the Braves is interesting. I would love to see him back, but then again he's another over 40 pitcher. That means at least two out of five games the pen is going to have to go at least 3 innings. A big three reunion would be awesome, but is it good for the Braves?
These questions and more to be answered in the next episode of Soap.
Geaux Braves!!
Posted by: geauxbraves | May 14, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Why would Maddux want to be a pitching coach in 2009? The guy is still putting up LA numbers with no sign of being anything worse than that.
Maddux is the type of player who could easily pitch until he is 45. If he still loves the game, can perform at an acceptable standard, and pull down $10m paychecks I can't see him moving into the coaching staff.
Posted by: bjsguess | May 14, 2008 at 11:32 AM
For the right price (talent given) Maddux to the Braves has absolutely zero down-side. If Maddux was getting the run-support Atlanta CAN give in San Diego, I'm sure San Diego wouldn't be miles out of it already.
Posted by: ksesxe | May 14, 2008 at 11:32 AM
how about Matt Diaz and fill in's for Maddux? Though that might set Headley back a bit.
Posted by: AzNbUm | May 14, 2008 at 12:03 PM
daslied...You absolutely have that right! I know I came across as a smart @$$ but I guess I'm just trying to stay positive. I'm hoping the one-run loss thing gets turned around; can't recall the stat but the braves are awful in close and late situations...hopefully it's just bad luck, rather than their run differential being the thing that's skewed.
If the Padres don't have plans to keep Khalil Greene Brent Lilibridge could factor in a package to acquire Maddux...although Lilibridge looked completely overmatched during his call up he would be attractive to a cost-conscious team looking for a short stop.
Posted by: baleen | May 14, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Even though Im not a Braves fan, I would love to see Greg Maddux return to the Braves. This is a very common cycle in baseball, a great veteran pitcher leaves a team he had a lot of success with, but returns before he retires. I think he would be a great fit in Atlanta, back with Glavine and Smoltz and co. Of course, I would love to see him in STL, but that won't happen.
Posted by: JP | May 14, 2008 at 01:18 PM
" Braves fans seem to like the idea,"
“Everybody should like this idea.”
…Exactly… He needs to go back where he belongs so everyone can enjoy the Big-Three one last time…
“That means at least two out of five games the pen is going to have to go at least 3 innings.”
…Wouldn’t he basically be replacing Smoltz who is coming back as the closer? John cant really go more than 6 anymore, can he? So the rotation will be similar to what it was pre-Smoltz getting hurt; while the bullpen will have a huge boost with him in it. If he was to replace a horse then I would understand, but it seems to me the rotation would be staying the same for the most part...
Posted by: darkstar1661 | May 14, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Remember that Maddux can still go over 100 pitches if he needs to. He got shelled a couple weeks ago and stayed in to preserve the Padres 'pen after the 22 inning game. If Cox asks him to go 7 or 8 because of overwork, I am sure Maddux will be up to the task. Anyway, he still keeps the count down, so he will make 7 with 80 pitches on some nights. It would be a decent move for the Braves to replace Smoltz
Posted by: AA | May 14, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Yeah, Maddux would basically be replacing Smoltz in the rotation, but to me that would workout before the Braves anyway. If Smoltz doesn't wanna start after getting off the DL, he was good as a closer before and probably will be again and at least the Braves will be replacing him with a proven innings eater too.
Posted by: JP | May 14, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Kind of a side comment... it's funny, Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine are possibly the greatest 1-2-3 punch of this or any era... yet they only have one world series ring apiece.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | May 14, 2008 at 01:48 PM
"If the Padres don't have plans to keep Khalil Greene Brent Lilibridge could factor in a package to acquire Maddux"
Kinda seems to me that Lillibridge would be a bit much to pay for Maddux. Didn't mind the Diaz suggestion, considering Blanco is showing he can produce & we do have OF bats that can probably step in as well.
Posted by: ksesxe | May 14, 2008 at 01:58 PM
How about Martin Prado for Maddux? I like the idea of bring Greg back to take Smoltz's spot in the rotation. Guys like Reyes and Charlie Morton could use some more seasoning at AAA before sticking in Atlanta.
Posted by: ejruiz777 | May 14, 2008 at 04:01 PM
"I know they're still in it, but as a 25-year fan I have the right to bitch a little. :)"
No you dont. About 27 other fanbases would kill for the success the Braves have had in the last 15 years.
Posted by: nrmax88 | May 14, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Personally I'd like to hang onto Prado given Kelly's injury history. Prado would be fair if necessary, however.
Posted by: ksesxe | May 14, 2008 at 04:13 PM
"About 27 other fanbases would kill for the success the Braves have had in the last 15 years."
Right, and those 27 are the same ones that bitch about the one series title in that span. There's always something to find, you know.
Posted by: daslied | May 14, 2008 at 04:20 PM
"No you dont. About 27 other fanbases would kill for the success the Braves have had in the last 15 years."
...As an Indians fan, I agree 100% with this comment! My team has actually had some success, but still hasnt come near that of the Braves! Oh, and that slight success my team had came after going through a miserable 30-something year slump! If you think you have earned the right to complain because you havent made the playoffs for a whole 2 years after like 15 straight ~ well I really shouldn’t curse so I better leave it at that...
:)
Posted by: darkstar1661 | May 14, 2008 at 04:27 PM
"Right, and those 27 are the same ones that bitch about the one series title in that span. There's always something to find, you know."
...Oh ~ and do I have a right to bitch about that one WS title?
FYI ~ the answer to that question beter be yes!!!
Posted by: darkstar1661 | May 14, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Man, you guys are so serious. :) Success has bred high expectations for Braves' fans. I love them win or lose, but I do get to bitch when they're 2-153 on the road.
Posted by: daslied | May 14, 2008 at 05:01 PM
We're killin' the Phillies tonight! Hello 3-152*
Posted by: ksesxe | May 14, 2008 at 06:52 PM
“Man, you guys are so serious. :) Success has bred high expectations for Braves' fans. I love them win or lose, but I do get to bitch when they're 2-153 on the road.”
2-153 on the road, psh ~ that’s cake… Like I implied ~ go 0-fer 30ish years and then get back to me…
Posted by: darkstar1661 | May 14, 2008 at 10:24 PM
"Now tell me...Exactly what has Roger McDowell done wrong so far?"
Nothing. He's not a bad pitching coach by any means. But you seriously wouldn't take Maddux over anyone else? He called a game from the dugout for Brad Penny in L.A., and Penny almost threw a no-hitter.
Posted by: FineHamAbounds | May 15, 2008 at 10:42 AM