Smoltz to Cardinals

[Schwarber Fan]

Any guesses for Smoltz numbers the rest of the way?

 

I'll say: 6-0, 2.12 ERA

[Benchwarmer]

Everything I've read says that Smoltz's only hope is a one inning reliever, probably more set-up than closer. He doesn't have it any more as a starter. The guy has done alot for the game and hope he doesn't hang on too long and get pounded.

[Keener98]

Everything I've read says that Smoltz's only hope is a one inning reliever, probably more set-up than closer. He doesn't have it any more as a starter. The guy has done alot for the game and hope he doesn't hang on too long and get pounded.

 

Unless hes playing for the Cardinals, and if thats the case, I hope he embarrasses the hell out of himself.

[SouthSideRyan]

This is just the move that could propel us to a comeback in the division.

[Clem Fandango]

PIXIEDUST

[XZero771679666304]

If the Cards keep him starting, they'll regret it. He has been moderately effective early in games, but goes from bad to horrendous as he gets deeper.

 

The only value he has is as a reliever. As a starter, Wellemeyer would be better. Much better.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Confirmed to the Cards:

 

LOS ANGELES • Free agent pitcher John Smoltz will accept the Cardinals’ offer to join the club as its fifth starter after clearing waivers at noon CST today, barring an unforeseen waiver claim, multiple sources said Tuesday.

 

 

Link

[E.J.]

I can't believe the Cards are bringing him on as a starter.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

good news

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I think using him as a starter is worth a shot. The alternatives aren't great, so why not?

[XZero771679666304]

I think using him as a starter is worth a shot. The alternatives aren't great, so why not?

 

Wellemeyer was more effective. Smoltz has been horrendous as a starter, and his splits scream for him to be used in the pen.

 

The Cards could call up just about any AAA SP and have him pitch (probably better) as well as Smoltz has.

 

If Mo and TLR want to waste starts, let them.

[haltz]

his splits, and all his stats for that matter, scream small sample size. I wouldn't be surprised if his 4.37 xFIP isn't more indicative of his performance going forward than his ridiculous ERA and some 40-inning split numbers.

 

regardless, the Cardinals don't really need a fifth starter all that often down the stretch, and if he really sucks it's not a big deal. If he pitches well then you have either a hedge against Kyle Lohse and his forearm or a bullpen weapon for the postseason. Some decent upside without a lot of downside; it's a good gamble for $100k.

[XZero771679666304]

his splits, and all his stats for that matter, scream small sample size. I wouldn't be surprised if his 4.37 xFIP isn't more indicative of his performance going forward than his ridiculous ERA and some 40-inning split numbers.

 

regardless, the Cardinals don't really need a fifth starter all that often down the stretch, and if he really sucks it's not a big deal. If he pitches well then you have either a hedge against Kyle Lohse and his forearm or a bullpen weapon for the postseason. Some decent upside without a lot of downside; it's a good gamble for $100k.

 

I just think it would be more productive to have him help the pen than waste starts on him. Despite the sample size, he is an aging power pitcher coming off injury. His splits are in line with what you might logically expect. In this case his splits - as small a sample size as they come from - may well be a good indicator. I suspect he just can't maintain his stuff for more than an inning or two.

 

He hasn't thrown many inning the past couple years, and even in his last full season he was 5-6 inning guy. He has been rocked this year, and consistently worse the deeper he got into games.

 

The Sox didn't release him and eat money for no reason.

 

If it were the Cubs signing him, I would want them to use him in a role where he could maximize what he has left in the tank - which I suspect isn't much.

 

But as bad as the Cubs are right now, I suppose giving away the 2-3 games he starts is worth seeing if you can catch lightning in a bottle, eh?

[haltz]

The Sox don't have much room for error, while the Cards are working with a six-game cushion and no better alternatives to take those few fifth starter starts. My guess is he's destined for the bullpen, but there's really nothing to lose here. Personally I think the splits are probably meaningless - like most RHP he's going to be more effective against righties, but that kind of split probably won't last. RHH are hitting .230 and lefties are hitting .440? Small sample. Not to mention that a .390 BABIP is absurd, even if he is toast.

 

If we really care about this then it should be noted that Todd Wellemeyer is turning LHH into Albert Pujols this year (.342/.421/.606) and doesn't have nearly the K/BB numbers Smoltz is putting up (or track record, or stuff). I don't think you're giving away those games with Smoltz any more than you are with Boggs or Wellemeyer, so what does it matter. Even if it's worse it's marginal (you aren't punting three games, or even one full game) and there's more upside. Is he going to refuse to pitch out of the pen in the playoffs? If Lohse doesn't get over this dead arm thing then what? This might not help, but it could and it almost surely won't hurt.

[TruffleShuffle]

smoltz goes 7-0 with an ERA under 1 as julio lugo OPS's over 1.000; red sox miss playoffs and their fans drive to st. louis and burn down the city.

[ArthurVandalay]

Not to keep on this pixiedust thing, but is there any doubt that Smoltz is going to dominate for the Cards the rest of the season? I think it's pretty much inevitable...

[Schwarber Fan]

Not to keep on this pixiedust thing, but is there any doubt that Smoltz is going to dominate for the Cards the rest of the season? I think it's pretty much inevitable...

 

smoltz goes 7-0 with an ERA under 1 as julio lugo OPS's over 1.000; red sox miss playoffs and their fans drive to st. louis and burn down the city.

 

Any guesses for Smoltz numbers the rest of the way?

 

I'll say: 6-0, 2.12 ERA

[soapy]

smoltz goes 7-0 with an ERA under 1 as julio lugo OPS's over 1.000; red sox miss playoffs and their fans drive to st. louis and burn down the city.

 

So it's not a total loss.

[SouthSideRyan]

Not to keep on this pixiedust thing, but is there any doubt that Smoltz is going to dominate for the Cards the rest of the season? I think it's pretty much inevitable...

 

Yes, there's lot of doubt. Smoltz is done.

[17 Seconds]

Not to keep on this pixiedust thing, but is there any doubt that Smoltz is going to dominate for the Cards the rest of the season? I think it's pretty much inevitable...

 

Yes, there's lot of doubt. Smoltz is done.

 

You don't know that

[SouthSideRyan]

Not to keep on this pixiedust thing, but is there any doubt that Smoltz is going to dominate for the Cards the rest of the season? I think it's pretty much inevitable...

 

Yes, there's lot of doubt. Smoltz is done.

 

You don't know that

 

Yeah, but everyone [expletive] knows that he's going to dominate with the Cardinals. That or they're on the cutting edge of comedy with their predictions.

[Andy]

smoltz goes 7-0 with an ERA under 1 as julio lugo OPS's over 1.000; red sox miss playoffs and their fans drive to st. louis and burn down the city.

 

So it's not a total loss.

=D>

[javy knows my name]

I suppose if he calls it quits now, he may enter the HOF along with Maddux and Glavine.

 

No he wouldn't. He played this season, the other 2 didn't. And I'm not sure Glavine makes it 1st ballot.

 

300 wins is no longer automatic for HOF voters?

 

This is so weird.... on the one hand people say what an overrated stat pitcher wins is. However, a lot of those same people will use this as a criteria for HOF induction.

I don't want to speak for everyone here, but I think wins just have predictive value for HOF induction because it reflects what the voters would look for on a resume, not necessarily what we believe should be considered.

[ArthurVandalay]

Not to keep on this pixiedust thing, but is there any doubt that Smoltz is going to dominate for the Cards the rest of the season? I think it's pretty much inevitable...

 

Yes, there's lot of doubt. Smoltz is done.

 

You don't know that

 

So was Edmonds.

[bcl412]

Not to keep on this pixiedust thing, but is there any doubt that Smoltz is going to dominate for the Cards the rest of the season? I think it's pretty much inevitable...

 

Yes, there's lot of doubt. Smoltz is done.

 

You don't know that

 

So was Edmonds.

 

Didn't Edmonds start playing better once he stopped taking medicine that was messing with his vision? I don't think Smoltz's issue can be fixed like that.