Is it over really over for Reitsma?

[Chunky_Boy]

I know some will say a trade is in the future, but is it Villareal time now? Is he a lock for the replacement?

[Havok1517]

I believe he's actually only blown 2 saves but he's been terrible when he goes in non-save situations. He's not a closer by any means and Villareal's numbers are misleading. He's 4-0 but he hasn't won a game since April 13th and in those games he won he blew 2 leads. Also, he really hasn't pitched that much recently, only 4.1 innings in May. Villareal doesn't have closer stuff in my opinion, neither does Reitsma for that matter. Their starting pitching is already questionable so Smoltz coming out to close isn't likely.

This is what I think and most disagree with me but either a trade is made or Reitsma closes until Ramirez comes back then they give the job to Sosa. If he's good enough to start than he's good enough to close. They actually talked about making Sosa the closer to start the year but felt he was more valuable as a starter. That has obviously not been the case. I really think that his numbers from last year starting would translate into success closing. He doesn't really have the body to consistently start a full year but he does have the stuff to blow guys away in the 9th inning.

If they can somehow find somebody to successfully close (Sosa, McBride, Devine, or by trade) the team gets much better very quickly by allowing Reitsma to do what he's best at, setting up. They are already 7 games back and the Mets just seem to be getting stronger. Some chances must be taken.

[kev8821]

This guy seems really bad to me. I have seen him pitch a few games and he just seems prepared to give up a run or more every time he pitches.

Tonight (didn't see the game) he pitch 2/3 gave up 4 hits and 4 runs. I have him on my squad and I am contemplating dropping him.

[Bukoski77]

Anthony Lerew was discussed by B. Cox and given a look for serious late inning consideration, before failing horribly, during spring training.

I don’t think failing to win a job during spring will be held against him too severely, and have heard rumors of Lerew being used as an emergency starter a few times this season.

What are his minor league numbers looking like so far this season? Is there any chance he could factor into the closer equation this season in Atlanta

[BabySitler]

WTF happened to Joey Devine? What a waste of $6.

[George_Foreman]

Be patient. Devine will be back eventually and when he does he'll close.

Reitsma's still got the job until he blows up big time, but the thing is, the Braves really have no one else. Their most consistant guy was Cormier, but now he's hurt. Villareal is probably the next reasonable option (I'm not nearlly as down on him as Havok is; he blew a couple of leads but his ERA is still good. His walk/K rates are my biggest concern), although McBride looked good tonight. It's concievable that Sosa could be moved into the role and James bumped up now that the Braves have another lefty in the pen, but I doubt that happens. Remlinger has been horrible in his recent outings, and that leaves... Moylan? No way. Paronto? Not happening....

So it's Reitsma's by default for the time being. McBride is cerainly the best pitcher of the above group, and if it's someone before Devine is recalled, my money is on McBride of Villareal.

[BabySitler]

Isn't Devine on the Minor League DL?

[GSes]

Devine sucks, he has huge talent and potential, but right now its just potential, i dont understnd why anyone thinks he is for sure going to come up and be lights out when its now been two times they brought him and got SHELLED. Devine is the closer of the future, but the future is not now on a guy who cant throw a strike in the bigs.

[MrSnider]

Ken Ray has been their most lights-out reliever. He's got a nasty change and apparently the personality to be a closer. I think Reitsma's deal is that he doesn't have the personality to be aggressive and go in for the kill.

Another kid to keep an eye on is the AA closer, Will Startup. He was drafted out of UGA and is just tearing up the Southern League. And the Braves have shown they're willing to play AA players everyday. I doubt he'd come up and be the closer immediately, but I expect him on the staff at some point this year.

[yossarian]

Hmmm....Ray does look like maybe a possiblity, going by his stats. I'll keep an eye on him.