Showing posts with label John Smoltz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Smoltz. Show all posts

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Dice-K Removed From Red Sox Rotation


It was obvious that eventually the Red Sox would have to make a change in their rotation. With John Smoltz healthy and ready to go and every other starter currently outperforming him, Daisuke Matsuzaka was the odd man out. This is from a Boston.com report on manager Terry Francona's afternoon press conference.
"We need to get him looked at physically," said Francona. "He's gonna get looked at by (Red Sox trainer) Tom Gill. He's going to get tests done. There's a potential for MRIs. All of that information will be coming very soon."
Terry Francona and the Red Sox seem to be blaming Dice-K's appearances in the World Baseball Classic for leaving him unprepared for the regular season. While he is currently only assured of missing one start I believe that the Red Sox intend to see his velocity returned to its former level and an improvement in his control before he will pitch in the major leagues again.

This also takes some of the heat off the Red Sox to trade one of their rotation starters. Brad Penny has been a competent starter for the Red Sox and should continue to be as long as he stays healthy. Unfortunately this will do nothing to release Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden from their minor league purgatory.

Dice-K owners should thank their lucky stars that they won't be punished with his poor statistics for a while. I would not drop Matsuzaka if you have the ability to stash him in your reserves. Dice-K is a very talented pitcher and when he is "on" he is an asset to a fantasy team.

Alibris

Statistics Courtesy of FanGraphs.com
Season Team K/9 BB/9 HR/9 AVG WHIP BABIP LOB% FIP
1999 Lions (NPB) 7.55 4.35 0.70 0.196 1.17 0.236 82.20% 4.12
2000 Lions (NPB) 7.73 5.10 0.64 0.218 1.35 0.267 68.20% 4.18
2001 Lions (NPB) 8.01 4.38 1.01 0.214 1.25 0.253 75.60% 4.44
2002 Lions (NPB) 9.57 1.84 1.60 0.225 1.02 0.267 81.50% 4.28
2003 Lions (NPB) 9.97 2.92 0.60 0.232 1.18 0.314 75.90% 2.97
2004 Lions (NPB) 7.83 2.59 0.43 0.286 1.42 0.357 80.20% 3.07
2005 Lions (NPB) 9.46 2.05 0.54 0.221 1.03 0.295 78.90% 2.71
2006 Lions (NPB) 9.66 1.64 0.63 0.208 0.92 0.277 79.70% 2.56
2007 Red Sox 8.84 3.52 1.10 0.249 1.32 0.306 73.90% 4.23
2007 Red Sox 7.78 3.66 0.46 0.284 1.53 0.353 67.60% 3.54
2008 Red Sox (AAA) 9.00 1.80 0.00 0.221 1.00 0.305 60.00% 1.80
2008 Red Sox 8.27 5.05 0.64 0.213 1.32 0.267 80.60% 4.03
2008 Red Sox 9.00 5.06 1.69 0.274 1.63 0.325 82.60% 5.26
2009 Red Sox (AAA) 10.80 3.86 0.00 0.215 1.20 0.323 86.70% 2.34
2009 Red Sox 8.74 4.63 2.06 0.374 2.20 0.441 68.90% 5.72

Sunday, December 07, 2008

John Smoltz Noise




According to an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, free agent right-hander John Smoltz is now throwing which puts him ahead of schedule in his rehab. I admit to having an irrational love for John Smoltz. He will always be one of my favorites --even when drafting him is extremely risky.

"Roger was impressed, and John’s on Cloud 9. No pain at all. None. Zero pain. Man, he’s way ahead of schedule.”

Smoltz, citing a desire to focus his energy on a rehabilitation and workout regimen, has declined most media requests for offseason progress reports. However, he eased the moratorium long enough to confirm that Friday’s session went well, and concurred with Cox’s optimistic view of his comeback.

“Every thing [is progressing], every day,” said Smoltz, who seemed as confident as Cox of his return. “I can’t say I felt that way the day after surgery. But as time has gone by, I certainly have grown in my confidence.”

Smoltz and left-hander Tom Glavine are fortysomething free agents trying to rebound from surgeries (Glavine, elbow and shoulder).

Braves general manager Frank Wren said he can’t count on either to make it back in 2009, but hopes to offer both of them contracts if and when they get to the point in their throwing programs where it seems like they would be ready to pitch.

Glavine was encouraged by long-toss sessions Wednesday and Friday, the 305-game winner’s first times throwing since Aug. 21 procedures to repair a torn flexor tendon and clean out his shoulder.

He’s also ahead of schedule in his throwing program, but not yet far enough for such optimism as Smoltz provided Friday.

Smoltz, the only pitcher with 200 wins and 150 saves, would likely be elected to the Hall of Fame if he never pitched another inning.



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