He's still out there: Cubs should sign Smoltz
I know this was suggested by Shawn a while back, but I wanted to bring it up again. Smoltz makes sense on a lot of levels, but mostly, because the Cubs wouldn't have to give him a multiyear deal. He could be insurance if Marmol can't close, he COULD he a starting rotation backup and he's a guy with a great deal of postseason experience (winning postseason experience, at that).
This is a TOTAL guess on my part, but couldn't Hendry convince the Rickets to free up an extra few million for a guy with Smoltz's resume? Frankly, I'd rather have Smoltz for one year at $3 million than Calero for two years and $4 million.
over 2 years ago
elgato
47 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Why?
Do you really think he has anything left? I don’t.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I do
He pitched pretty well for St. Louis last season — 4.26 ERA, WHIP of 1.184.
Broken down this way...
First two starts: 1-0, 11 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 15 K, 0.82 ERA.
Last five starts: 2-3, 27 IP, 17 ER, 8 BB, 25 K, 5.67 ERA.
I think he’s done.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Well...
I’m not sure I would categorize the starts that way.
He had 3 bad starts (#3, 4 & 7)
and 4 decent to good starts (#1, 2, 5 & 6)
—Game 5 (6IP, 6H, 2ER, 3BB, 4K)
—Game 6 (6IP, 5H, 2ER, 0BB, 5K)
Four good starts – 23IP, 18H, 5ER, 4BB, 24K, 1.96 ERA
Three bad starts – 15IP, 18H, 13ER, 5BB, 16K, 7.80ERA
It gives maybe a similar picture, but I think it more fairly describes the fact that he necessarily start off great and then tank. He had some good success later with the Cards in 2 of his 3 final games.
I think based on that – he has some value depending on how much he’s asking for
No way!
If you do this, it may inhibit your from doing anything at the trade deadline to add a piece.
The Cubs will have the third highest payroll in the bigs, and there comes a time where you just can’t keep adding a few mil here and another few mil over there.
At the end of the day, if Zambrano, Soriano and Soto have years like they are capable, and Ramirez stays healthy, the Cubs will be challenging for the division or in the lead. I would want the ability to add a piece that becomes clear you need halfway through rather than taking a several mil dollar flyer on an old power pitcher.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
by MPH73 on Feb 12, 2010 9:28 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
that's one strategy
But the Cubs are working to add a righty reliever via trade. They would have to send young pitching (probably) for someone — even if that someone is cheaper than Smoltz.
If you’re saying the Cubs should open the year with their current crop of relievers, then I see your point (though I don’t know if I agree). But Frasor or Gregerson (sp?) versus Smoltz?
Also, I don’t know if signing a player for $2 million or $3 million would limit other moves later in the year.
I'm with MPH73.
Also, see the breakdown of Smoltz’s 7 St. Louis starts that I posted above. He had a brief blip — two starts — of excellence, then five mediocre to bad ones.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Smoltz is done, stick a fork in him
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Feb 12, 2010 9:37 AM CST up reply actions
San Diego would want young pitching
But Toronto’s problem is that they have too many young pitchers out of options. They would want either a position player who is major-league ready, or pitchers lower in the minors that would not have used any options.
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
I would really like to get Gregerson if we could.
I posted last years stats for him on an earlier post.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
by Ryno Runner on Feb 13, 2010 12:13 PM CST up reply actions
The problem is...
…they are stuck with Silva, and that was the baggage for needing to dump Bradley.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
It would be nice to have an additional solid veteran in the bullpen
But I don’t think Smoltz is the answer to that.
For $1 Million Yeah, Not for $3 Million
I think Smoltz has a little bit left in the tank. If Smoltz can be gotten for $1 million for one year, I’d take him. There’s no way I’d give him $3 million. I like Smoltz more than Silva. I could see Smoltz being a swingman making about 10 starts and relieving in about 25 games with an ERA of about 4.50. All told I believe he could pitch about 90 innings in 2010. I know he’s not what he used to be, but he could be of some value to the Cubs. The price has to be right. $3 million is way too high a price tag.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
heard Hendry this morning.....
sounded like he expected Smardjiza, Marshall and Gorzelanni to be competing for a starting position in ST. Never mentioned Silva that I heard. just saying.
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
Perhaps you should acquaint yourself with the body of work Carlos Silva has put up the last three years
He is HORRIFICLY bad. Thank God Hendry isn’t stupid enough to mention him as a legitimate candidate for the rotation. Silva will be buried on the DL the next two years with a phantom injury. Unless of course “suckus maximus” isn’t an acceptable medical condition in the eyes of Major League Baseball.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
I sort of got that impression when he wasn't mentioned,
and I also got the impression that his body of work was not that great from reading about it right here!
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 12, 2010 6:31 PM CST up reply actions
May I ask where you heard Jim?
Was it on the radio or something?
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
by Ryno Runner on Feb 13, 2010 12:16 PM CST up reply actions
the score 670 am
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
by cooliogirl47 on Feb 13, 2010 2:36 PM CST up reply actions
I see.
Well that’s good news.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
by Ryno Runner on Feb 14, 2010 11:39 AM CST up reply actions
Y'know, I'm actually open to this idea at the right price.
As memphiscub mentions above, $3 million is probably too high. But I like the idea of Smoltz – mainly because he could be closer insurance for Marmol.
based on his off and on time with the Cardinals
I’d agree that $3 million is too much. How about $1.5 million, with incentives …
Yeah, something along those lines.
And Hendry’s been wanting a “veteran” arm – ya don’t get more veteran than John Smoltz.
Smoltz has always been a favorite of mine
I used to root for Atlanta in the playoffs in the ’90s — except for 1998, of course.
Jamie
Moyer
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
I have a hunch that Hendry is pursuing Smoltz
He’d be worth the gamble in my estimation. Right now our bullpen is frightening.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
I'd like it, I think he has something left
is he open to working out of the bullpen?
Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."
Sign John Smoltz to what? A position in the front office?
We already hired Greg Maddux.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Regarding Smoltz...
… we already have one team in town trying to reconstitute the 2002 All-Star team. Let’s leave it at that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
yeah, Al ...
Because John Smoltz hasn’t been good since 2002.
i believe Al was commenting more about
the others being signed on the South Side, less about Smoltz being good or not since then.
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
"Regarding Smoltz' ...
Seems like he was comment about both.
meaning that the South Side is signing enough old players
who were at the ASG in 2002, why should we? Smoltz has been good since 2002, but last year he basically showed he has little if anything left in the tank. Look at the numbers posted below, which were also posted above
Four good starts – 23IP, 18H, 5ER, 4BB, 24K, 1.96 ERA
Three bad starts – 15IP, 18H, 13ER, 5BB, 16K, 7.80ERA
IMHO he is not worth signing to more than a ST Invite, which I dont see him accepting. We have players who are cost controlled in AAA who can have similar numbers I would believe
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
I disagree
I think he’s worth more than that. And I’m well aware of his good and bad starts.
he is on the verge of turning 43 for starters
this guy seems to agree he is worth signing for the Mets in a Sean Marshall type roll, but please read this piece a few times and let it sink in
Last season with the Boston Red Sox, John Smoltz pitched to a 8.32 ERA in 8 starts before subsequently being released. Why did John struggle so much? I do remember reading a rumor about how he might have been tipping his pitches, but I really chalk it up to one thing: misfortune, based specifically off two underlying statistics:
1.BABIP (batting average on balls in play) – The standard average for a pitcher’s BABIP is about .300. With the Sox, Smoltz’s BABIP was a whopping .386; ugh, yeah, that’s very unlucky.
2.LOB% (left on base percentage) – The standard average for a pitcher’s LOB% is about 70%. While I, unfortunately, cannot find his LOB% splits with the Red Sox and Cardinals, it was an overall 60% last year, which is well below average and once again proves bad luck on John’s part.
Once he was swept up by the Cardinals, Smoltz pitched to a very solid 4.26 ERA in 7 starts; it’s no surprise his BABIP was a more reasonable .314, and he gave up just less than a hit per 9 innings. His walk rate remained pretty much the same and his strikeout rate jumped from 7.4 per 9 innings with Boston to 9.5 per 9 innings as a Cardinal. I think a safe conclusion is that not only was he mainly unlucky with the Red Sox, but he’s a pitcher who is probably better off remaining in the inferior National League.
i dont know how much of that can be said to be “luck” as much as i believe it is “tail end of career” numbers for Smoltz. He should retire instead of let people see him play to a much lesser caliber of his former self.
I will respectfully disagree on the idea of signing Smoltz
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
Right but once again...
… the Mets guy ignores the fact that Smoltz had two (or three, depending on how you look at it) good starts and then four or five mediocre to bad ones.
Enough. He should retire.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
i am with ya Al on that
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
really?
Disagree with me? Fine — though I’m not exactly alone on this idea (see some of the comments above). But this idea isn’t that dumb. At. All.
Yes, it is.
It is so dumb that it got a 12 on the ACT.
It is so dumb that it runs clockwise around the bases.
It is so dumb that it think dictators are Mr. Potato Heads with large penises
It is so dumb that it thinks “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot” was robbed of the Oscar
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
Click here to order your copy, available now!
Recent Stories in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
