Smoltz says he's coming back as a reliever

[Steve Jeltz]

But Smoltz did say if the Braves make the playoffs, he would consider starting. What are your thoughts?

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080430&content_id=2614453&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[chip&smoltz95]

fine by me. the pen needs as much help right now as the starters. If you assume that huddy and glavine are okay, then you got jurrjens. then i guess you keep bennett around and bring reyes up(he's been pretty good lately).

possible pen after injuries: gonzo, smoltz, ohman, acosta, campillo, (soriano, resop, ring, boyer for the last two spots)

[SamtheBravesFan]

Hopefully, Smoltz can give the Braves some quality out the pen. I said before that I'll support him in whatever he does and I hope that he becomes a great reliever again.

[xholdourownx]

I think the starters might start getting frustrated if they don't start getting some run support. Smoltz being in the pen is going to help their confidence for sure.

[BenHertz]

Is Smoltz signed through 2009? I'd like to see him get 200 saves if he stays in the bullpen.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Is Smoltz signed through 2009? I'd like to see him get 200 saves if he stays in the bullpen.

He has a $12 million option for 2009, but who knows if he's going to retire or not. There's no gaurantee that he's going to be the closer, either. However, that does seem like it'll be the most likely option considering Acosta's recent "failures".

[whoisonit]

I thought I heard he had a rotator cuff problem, is that acurate ? Are you expexting him back soon ?

[chip&smoltz95]

He has a $12 million option for 2009, but who knows if he's going to retire or not. There's no gaurantee that he's going to be the closer, either. However, that does seem like it'll be the most likely option considering Acosta's recent "failures".

Am i sensing some sarcasm in that "failures" comment? Cause other than last night(which i think he was getting tired going three innings), he had not given up a run since march 31(his first appearance). I would feel pretty good about a smotlz, gonzo, acosta, maybe soriano.. 6th-9th.

[BravesFanForever]

I kinda think Acost was left in the game too long last night. I think he should have only pitched two innings, because you could tell he was tired in his third inning.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Am i sensing some sarcasm in that "failures" comment? Cause other than last night(which i think he was getting tired going three innings), he had not given up a run since march 31(his first appearance). I would feel pretty good about a smotlz, gonzo, acosta, maybe soriano.. 6th-9th.

Yeah, I was being sarcastic. That's why I put it in quotes.

[jadarm1]

Thing is...Bobby Cox has said before that he is going to retire when Smoltzie does...

Folks, its time to face reality...we went back to times past when Glavine, Smoltz, and Maddux owned the game. Each ....each have mentioned that this would be their last year. Those that remember would recall that Cox should have already retired this year....

Its too late for Smoltzie to get 50+ saves this year...although if he continues into next year...with no injuries...he could be the only 200/200 pitcher in the history of the game...oh yeah, w/ 3,000+ SO's along with all the surguries.

I am by no means throwing in the white towel...but, ...we need to build off of Jair...

Let Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, and Cox, ...all retire and enter the HOF in the same year...what kind of a headline would that bring??

I know, I know, I will hear all of the Palmer and Orioles comparisons....but, its not quite the same thing.

We have some guys...some (good) guys that are not quite 10/5 yet...so lets use them...lets build our farm system...like the Marlins continually do....lets see how good Frank Wren is....

[chip&smoltz95]

i think the braves are already doing that. Nonetheless, if smoltz and glavine wanna keep pitching I got zero objections, because I KNOW they can still help the team win. Also, I am not so sure cox will retire after this season. Probably depends a lot on how the season ends. Either way I think pendleton would be a good replacement, if given the chance.

[jadarm1]

Good point...I think the job is Pendletons to loose.

[RonGant]

Pendleton?

I know that Pendleton was interviewing for managing positions a couple of off seasons ago. I am not sure how those interviews went but obviously he didn't get the job. Could it have been the Braves pressuring him to be patient and wait for Cox to retire?

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

I know that Pendleton was interviewing for managing positions a couple of off seasons ago. I am not sure how those interviews went but obviously he didn't get the job. Could it have been the Braves pressuring him to be patient and wait for Cox to retire?

It may have been that, but the jobs he lost or dropped out of were given to much more deserving candidates (IMO). Manny Acta won the Nats job and he probably had the benefit of Frank Robinson. Robinson first hired Acta when he was manager of the Expos back in 2002, so he probably had some input on that particular hire. But, I'd really like to see him as the next Braves manager, if not Pendleton, then I say we bring in someone who had previous affiliations with the franchise.