Braves Bull Pen Woes

June 12, 200620 yr

It's time to be concerned. So, what is being done to strengthen the bullpen?

-- Tom S., Kennesaw, Ga.

When a similar question was posed one week into this season, I urged patience. Two months later, I'm thinking even Mother Teresa would have had to mix in a curse word or two when describing the state of the Braves bullpen.

The belief in early April was that things would work themselves out as they have in previous years. Now, I can only believe that this is the worst bullpen the Braves have ever had.

Usually there are one or two relievers who are suspect in any bullpen. With this current Braves bunch, the only one who provides any sense of confidence is Ken Ray. In other words, there are six guys in that bullpen quite capable of turning a late-inning lead into disaster.

This shouldn't come as a huge surprise. Four of the current relievers, including Ray, didn't get an invite to anybody's big league camp this year. Now they find themselves filling the roles previously reserved for Blaine Boyer and John Foster, whose season-ending injuries have proven yet again just how important every reliever is to a bullpen mix.

Of course one of the biggest problems has been Chris Reitsma's inability to handle the closer's role. Now with a 9.11 ERA, he's crying for help and showing signs that his broken confidence will prevent him from being effective in a middle-relief role.

Of this current group, Ray and Macay McBride, whose control will improve, seem to be the only ones definitely worthy of sticking around. If Mike Remlinger isn't forced to face left-handers, he's still very serviceable and at the same time, he's the definite leader needed to keep sanity in the bullpen.

Oscar Villarreal and Chad Paronto have shown enough to also stick around. But let's not forget Villarreal has been nearly as disappointing as Reitsma. His seven wins mask his 4.99 ERA and the fact that he's issued 14 walks and surrendered seven homers in 30 2/3 innings.

As he's done in the past, Braves general manager John Schuerholz will look to strengthen the bullpen through trades. There will also likely be a few more Minor Leaguers brought up for auditions.

Finding a successful bullpen mix every year is a gamble and thus, the club should roll the dice and give Jorge Sosa a chance to prove himself as either the closer or top setup man. His electric stuff isn't exactly working in a starting role. But throwing one inning at a time, he may prove mentally strong enough to find success.

What would it hurt? Things can't get any worse.

I have been keeping an eye on Phil Stockman with Triple-A Richmond Braves and he seems to have the stats and "the stuff" to be in the big leagues. Do you think we'll see him anytime soon or this year at all?

-- Blake S., Buford, Ga.

What was it that you liked about the 6-foot-8, 250-pound Australian right-hander? Was it the fact that in 29 2/3 innings with Richmond, he's posted a 0.91 ERA? Or was it that opponents are hitting .098 against him.

Stockman definitely seems deserving of a chance. The Diamondbacks moved him into a relief role last year and he had some success at the Double-A and Triple-A level. But now he's seemingly gained the comfort necessary to prove himself in the Majors.

Expect Stockman to be the next reliever the Braves promote in hopes that he'll prove to be one of the missing pieces to their now-jumbled puzzle.

Have a question about the Braves?

E-mail your query to MLB.com Braves beat writer Mark Bowman for possible inclusion in a future mailbag column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content.

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Question:

I've noticed that Chuck James has been starting in Richmond. What are the plans for him and when should he return?

-- Brian B., Bristol, Va.

There have been a few times over the past couple of weeks when it would have been nice to have James in the bullpen. But the Braves did the right thing by sending him to Richmond to prepare for a starting role again.

He threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings for Richmond on Thursday and thus seems ready to join the Atlanta rotation. His addition would allow for Sosa to be moved to the bullpen.

James has continued his Minor League dominance over the past few weeks. In five starts with Richmond, the gritty southpaw has posted a 2.61 ERA and limited opponents to a .218 batting average.

There should be a James sighting back in Atlanta within the next week.

What do you think about trading Adam LaRoche and a prospect for consistant reliever and putting Wilson Betemit at first base? Betemit needs to be playing every day.

-- Hans A., Alpharetta, Ga.

Manager Bobby Cox doesn't seem to like the idea of Betemit playing first base. But he obviously realizes the kid needs to be getting more playing time. He said this before giving him a rare start at second base on Saturday.

There are some Braves players and a few coaches who have indicated Betemit is the club's best hitter. He's now dangerous from both sides of the plate and the increased power he's shown over the past two years has been a welcome sight.

LaRoche's offensive inconsistencies are maddening. Every time it appears he's ready to break out of a slump, he quickly falls back and gives indication he may be more of a .260 hitter than a .300 hitter.

But defensively, he's one of the game's best at first base. Although he's had a few miscues this year, he's still saves runs with his ability to smoothly pick balls out of the dirt.

If the Braves were to shop Marcus Giles, they may be able to get more in return than they would for LaRoche. If that were to happen, they could give Betemit a chance to prove himself in an everyday role at second base.

Doesn't everyone think that Betemit should get a write-in vote on the All-Star ballot?

-- Kevin M., Spring Hill, Tenn.

It's nice to see Betemit has generated this type of excitement, while getting just 103 at-bats this year. But unfortunately, I don't think that's enough to warrant a write-in vote.

If I were to place a write-in vote right now, I'd give one to former Brave Mark DeRosa. Even before the current 11-game hitting streak he's compiled, he's been on fire for the Rangers

Since the beginning of May, DeRosa has hit .360 (49-for-136) with three homers and nine RBIs. There may be some more deserving American Leaguers out there, but this is my vote and I'm giving it to one of the good guys.

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Can you say come-from-behind walk off wins revenge? :shifty :mischief

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June 13, 200620 yr

Was looking over their numbers yesterday and yeah they have been bad wit the bullpen. That was a major concern in the off season, they can score runs but if ur bullpen aint helping u out late in the game there is no use. wit the Braves being 2-8 in the last 10 games it would be nice to jump all over them this series.

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