Braves Lose Campillo, Carlyle, Gorecki

This is the time of year when non-playoff teams clear space on their rosters in order to create flexibility for the off-season, and according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America, the Braves began that process today be outrighting relievers Jorge Campillo and Buddy Carlyle and outfielder Reid Gorecki.  All three opted to become free agents instead of remaining in the organization. The 40-man roster is now down to 38 players (with Jordan Schafer being activated from the 60-day DL).

Gorecki's release is little surprise; he's been a solid Triple-A player, but doesn't look like much more than a fifth outfielder (at best) at the major-league level.  I have to say I am more unsure about the decisions to let Campillo and Carlyle walk.  As I wrote in my posts on Jorge and Buddy, their value to the Braves was entirely tied up in their abilities to make full recoveries from their respective injuries.  Clearly the Braves feel that they won't return to full strength, which would indeed be reason to let them walk. However, with those two gone and Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano potentially departing, the Braves now have just two pitchers (outside of the six starters) with more than 150 innings of major-league experience (those are Peter Moylan and Jo-Jo Reyes, if you were wondering).

I am in no position to question the front office's decision on Campillo or Carlyle since I have no information about their health, but it does mean that Frank Wren has a big task ahead of him rebuilding the bullpen--not just at the back end, but also in terms of middle relief and quality depth.