John Smoltz for the pen?
by Travis G on Jan 9, 2010 4:00 PM EST
in New York Yankees Analysis
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PrintBefore you decry the idea of Smoltz on the Yankees because of his horrid 6.35 ERA (with the Red Sox and Cardinals), you should know how unlucky he was. He had a phenomenal K/BB rate of 4/1 (better than any Yankee starter), and a very reasonable FIP of 3.87 (better than any Yankee starter except CC). But an extremely unlucky BABIP of .364 (compared to .293 for his career) upped his ERA to that atrocious number.
Now I wouldn't want him to be a starter. We have four starters who are all above average (both in terms of health and production) and a fifth who should almost certainly surpass Smoltz' production (either Joba or Hughes). Where Smoltz would fit well would be the bullpen. He's closed before with Atlanta, and his fine peripheral numbers from last year would probably increase with a move to the pen (as would his health).
On the flip-side, Smoltz had his highest homerun (1.27/9) and flyball (42%) rates in his career. That's not a good trait for Yankee Stadium. However, his homerun rate was only marginally higher than Joba Chamberlain's, and his flyball rate was actually lower than Phil Hughes'.
The biggest obstacle would be getting him to be a reliever when he seems to want to remain a starter. But if the Yankees can overcome that, and sign him to a reasonable deal (under $4 million), it makes a lot of sense.
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No
The Yankees have only around 6-7 million to spend. I wouldn’t want to waste half of that on Smoltz. Smoltz really struggled in the AL East last year. Couldn’t get lefties at all (which is an awful trait for YS2). Like you said, he’ll want to remain a starter. And most of all, he’s old. The Yankees bullpen is actually pretty strong right now, and I don’t think a pitcher of Smoltz’s age would be of much help. They have Gaudin for long relief, and he’s around 12 years younger. I’d rather go with him.
Absofrigginlutely not.
He will not be a steup guy therefore I’d rather give that spot to one of our own guys and let them develop a little bit.
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
Id rather give a MRP job to one of our own guys for a 10th of the price
is what I meant to say.
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
but why?
we need a left fielder, not a 42 year old who couldnt get lefties out in yankee stadium.
Take the next step inside the numbers.
His BABIP was high because his Line Drive Rate was high. 18.4%
With a LD% that high, we have to expect a .304 BABIP, still better than he produced, but not worth $4M.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
+1
Thanks for the rational argument. Though, I’m for Smoltz in the pen if his price drops enough. While his LD% is up from 2008, it was actually below his career average of 20%. The drop in GB% however, is concerning. Maybe another year removed from surgery, we can expect improvement in his secondary pitches or something.
By the way, every other comment here is pure emotional “he’s too old” or “he sucks” BS, which is annoying.
by tombradylikesdudes on Jan 9, 2010 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
...but I have no problem with people
who say “he’s too old” AND then back it up with an argument regarding either diminished “stuff” or durability questions.
Yes, Smoltz is old, but I think he is capable of holding down a late innning bullpen role better than some other players who have signed for more money this off season (Brandon Lyon, for one).
by tombradylikesdudes on Jan 9, 2010 9:07 PM EST up reply actions
my mom always asks me if something is a want or a need
do the yankees NEED john smoltz, no, do they want him,maybe. do we NEED a left fielder, probably. i just think left field is more of a burning issue thats all, and to spend it on a (yea, im going to say it again) 40 something year old, yes, its stupid.
by jv52yankees on Jan 10, 2010 12:00 AM EST up reply actions
...what does LF have to do with John Smoltz?
N8 !
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 10, 2010 12:37 AM EST up reply actions
the age argument by itself
is ridiculous. Mo will be 40. Posada and AP 38. will they automatically suck?
For a good price why not
but I feel like we already have plenty of 7th and 8th inning options in house.
This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.
gonna have to say no
i always liked Smoltz, don’t get me wrong. he was good as a starter, then a closer, then back to a starter. however, he is old. he can’t have much left at his age. he could perform better than he did for Boston, but he still struggled mightily in the AL East. i shudder to think how much he’d hurt the bullpen if he performs any where near as badly as he did for Boston. definately not.
"When my time on Earth is gone, and my activities here are past, I want they bury me upside down so all my critics can kiss my a**"- Bob Knight
The guys numbers in innings 1 and 2 were good
his velocity was there too.If he wasnt so dead set on starting and you could get him for 1-2mill for 1 yr hell yeah.Bullpen pitchers are finicky and the solid one last yr will be the spook this yr.Stockpile em and keep thanking the lord for Mo.
Let the Panic bloom
Stockpile em and keep thanking the lord for Mo
Two great points
I wish we could continue to just show up and play for no reason. No umpires, no scorers. Just show up and have fun.
-- Alex Rodriguez
He's not gonna wanna be in the pen.
And even if he does..its to close.
He probably could be an excellent setup man, I’m not sure he’ll want to do it tho.
N8 !
Yanks should be more younger and athletic
I thought the Yankees want to get younger and athletic. If they get Smoltz they would despoil their plan.
The Yankees should pass on Smoltz ang give young guys in their farm a chance to shine.
Mark Melancon should be a good addition this coming season.
I agree partially...
Yes, they do want get younger and more athletic. However, that’s more for in the field, off of the mound. On the mound, in my mind, is somewhere you don’t exactly have to be athletic. If his arm proved to be healthy enough to be in the pen, and he was looking good now, I might personally sign him. Who knows, he might could even give you a quality start here and there, if needed.
I usually try to stay away from simple minded one word replies....
But I think ‘No’ would suffice as it pertains to thios particular subject…..
-Announcemen Forwarded To The Following: Boston Blowsox, New York Pets, Philadelphia Phonies, And Any Other Team Who Ain't The With The Empire.................
Getcha' Fuccin Rings Up........
by NYYWinsRings27 on Jan 9, 2010 7:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Great idea! Wait...what year is this? 2010?
Oh, uh…..NO!
Not our Daddy
If you really want to move in that direction (although with the projected bullpen crew I don’t see an urgent need), I’d much rather have someone who can succeed in the AL, like um, Pedro. While he’s lost a lot of his stuff, he sure looked good the first 3-4 innings in the postseason. Might be perfect for those days when AJ plays cutesy with the strike zone and has to come out in the third.
I concur
When Smoltz stopped throwing the splitter because of the injuries, he lost his ability to get out lefties. Even if Pedro’s fastball is in the median range for high schoolers, he still has a plus curve and that devastating change which gets out lefties and righties. I’m thinking Trevor Hoffman, even (gasp) Keith Foulke kind of guy in the pen.
Pedro for the pen, not Smoltz.
"I'm just tryin' to be the great, tryin' to get a piece of cake
Take it offa your plate, eat it right in your face" --Lil Wayne
he wont agree to being a set-up guy
therefore this idea doesn’t work and it’s just not worth it. the guy is in his forties and he is not Mariano Rivera.
where have you gone Joe dimaggio our nation turns it's lonely eyes to you?
smoltz
i cant wait for sping training. it seems we are reduced to speculating about whether a done pitcher like smoltz can be a yankee.
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