http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/21736 Recent articles about Jeff Bennett en-us Not quite like Waiver Wire, this piece examines potentially available players that focus on a specific category. If you need some power, we have a suggestion. If you need some speed, we have a suggestion. If you need some K's, we have a suggestion. Unfortunately, these players will not help your fantasy team (most of the time) outside of the category they are listed. Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:39:17 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/330897 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/330897 The Atlanta Braves will be minus Chipper Jones and Tim Hudson for a while. The Braves put both stars on the 15-day disabled list Monday, a setback for a team trying to stay in the NL East race. Jones leads the majors in hitting at .369. He hurt his left hamstring Wednesday night running out a grounder and has been slow to heal. The right-handed Hudson is 11-7 with a 3.17 ERA. He has been feeling tightness in his pitching elbow. Atlanta began the day 7 1/2 games behind division-leading New York. The Braves also optioned left-hander JoJo Reyes to Triple-A Richmond. Atlanta recalled pitcher Charlie Morton and catcher Clint Sammons from Richmond and activated reliever Jeff Bennett from the disabled list. Braves catcher Brian McCann sustained a mild concussion in a collision at home plate at Philadelphia on Sunday. He is expected to miss a few games. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:26:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/297056 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/297056 Not quite like Waiver Wire, this piece examines potentially available players that focus on a specific category. If you need some power, we have a suggestion. If you need some speed, we have a suggestion. If you need some K's, we have a suggestion. Unfortunately, these players will not help your fantasy team (most of the time) outside of the category they are listed. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:18:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/279312 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/279312 I'll admit it. What I thought at the beginning of the season was a very deep rotation with the nastiest one-two in baseball has turned into an iffy starting rotation with only three consistent starters and two gap-fillers. This can't last long. Mon, 19 May 2008 07:50:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/268477 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/268477 Josh Anderson lost the battle for the backup outfielder job to Gregor Blanco, and Ruben Gotay got a spot on the 25-man roster after being dropped by the Mets, but what else happened Friday? How do the Braves look going into the regular season? Check in to find out. Sat, 29 Mar 2008 06:30:40 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/223122 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/223122 Mark Teixeira led the Braves' infield on a slaughter of the Nationals' pitching staff in a 10-2 Braves win. Nearly every Braves infielder who played knocked in a run to back up a strong start by spot starter Jeff Bennett. Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:49:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/219179 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/219179 Friday the Braves fell to the Indians mostly due to the brilliant work of supplementary pitcher Ryan Drese, who threw 17 straight balls at one point, walking in a run apparently just for fun. He ruined an otherwise bright day from the Braves' pitching staff. Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:58:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/214765 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/214765 John Smoltz was scrubbed from his start Friday afternoon due to a sore shoulder - something pitching coach Roger McDowell said wasn't a big deal. Apparently Smoltz developed a knot of sorts in a Wednesday side session and they want to be cautious. Jeff Bennett will make the start against the Indians instead. Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:42:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/213328 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/213328 Six pitchers a competing for the final two rotation spots in Atlanta. This article breaks down how each of the six guys is doing so far this spring. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:09:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/191123 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/191123 This will by my final installment of polls for determining the best of what the NL East has to offer. The Mets have been crowned the NL East's best rotation, while the Phils have garnered top honors for outfield and infield. I'm not even going to bother debating coaching staffs, or get into farm systems. I'll stick with concrete tangibles that you can see on display at the MLB level, which leaves me with the bullpens. *Career era and whip, and pitching arm in parentheses. Atlanta Braves: Closer- Rafael Soriano (2.93, 1.02, R). Key Cogs- Mike Gonzalez (2.29, 1.23, L), Peter Moylan (2.23, 1.13, R), Manny Acosta (2.28, 1.14, R), Will Ohman (4.33, 1.42, L), and Tyler Yates (5.15, 1.56, R). Filler- Royce Ring (3.12, 1.38, L), Jeff Bennett (4.59, 1.43, R), Blaine Boyer (3.71, 1.49, R), Buddy Carlyle (5.96, 1.43, R), and Chris Resop (5.48, 1.83, R). Overall this is a solid group of relievers. There are question marks about Soriano's ability to handle the closer's role (13 career saves), but when Gonzalez gets healthy he's a great fallback plan. Never underestimate the Braves knack for turning mediocre arms into quality pitchers. Florida Marlins: Closer- Kevin Gregg (4.12, 1.33, R). Key Cogs- Justin Miller (5.33, 1.59, R), Matt Lindstrom (3.09, 1.30, R), Lee Gardner (2.46, 1.31, R), Henry Owens (3.00, 1.37, R), and Taylor Tankersly (3.46, 1.47, L). Filler- Daniel Barone (5.71, 1.68, R), Logan Kensing (5.50, 1.55, R), and Renyel Pinto (3.46, 1.40, L). This is a rag-tag group the outperformed expectations last year, but I expect some growing pains this season. Gregg is not a great closer, and I think he'll end up being a 1 season wonder. Lindstrom and Owens have upside, but they're surrounded with a losing atmosphere that trades their young talent away when it gets too expensive...that'll play tricks with your psyche. New York Mets: Closer- Billy Wagner (2.40, 1.02, L). Key Cogs- Aaron Heilman (4.04, 1.27, R), Pedro Feliciano (3.20, 1.34, L), Matt Wise (4.18, 1.26, R), Jorge Sosa (4.59, 1.46, R), and Matt Schoeneweis (5.01, 1.46, L). Filler- Ruddy Lugo (4.39, 1.48, R), Joe Smith (3.45, 1.56, R), currently DL'ed Duaner Sanchez (3.81, 1.37, R), and Brian Stokes (6.46, 1.80, R). I hate that rat bastard Billy Wagner, but he's still a top closer. Heilman and Feliciano are nice setup men, and Wise was a decent cheap offseason pickup. This is a seasoned group that has proven they can pitch and mixed with the Mets outstanding rotation is a great pitching staff collectively. Philadelphia Phillies: Closer- Brad Lidge (3.30, 1.20, R). Key Cogs- Tom Gordon (3.93, 1.35, R), JC Romero (4.30, 1.50, L), Ryan Madson (4.14, 1.38, R), and Chad Durbin (5.75, 1.57, R). Filler- Mike Zagurski (5.91, 1.69, L), Clay Condrey (4.84, 1.53, R), Scott Mathieson (limited experience), Francisco Rosario (6.02, 1.76, R), and Fabio Castro (3.30, 1.21, L). I'm glad to have Lidge because it allows Bretty Myers to go back to the rotation, but I am leary of his ability to lock down leads with high frequency. To be honest, I dislike this bullpen, as Gordon is fragile, Romero has a flair for imploding, Madson is a crapshoot, and the rest are less than stellar to say the least. Washington Nationals: Closer- Chad Cordero (2.79, 1.19, R). Key Cogs- Jon Rauch (3.74, 1.22, R), Luis Ayala (2.82, 1.20, R), Ryan Wagner (4.79, 1.59, R), Jesus Colome (4.54, 1.50, R), and Saul Rivera (3.58, 1.44, R). Filler- Ray King (3.43, 1.34, L), and Chris Schroder (4.40, 1.21, R). They may not have a lot of depth, but this is a decent group. Chad Cordero is a very good young closer, if on a contending team (ie. BoSox or Yanks) would get much higher praiser. John Rauch is the biggest dude to ever chuck pitches in MLB, Wagner is a former 1st round pick of the Reds, Colome can bring heat, and King is like a Weeble- he wobbles but he doesn't fall down. Click on URL to vote in the poll. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:58:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/143066 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/143066 Pitchers and Catchers report to spring training today, and BravesBlast looks at the pitchers and their chances of making the big league roster in what capacity. Will Jo-Jo Reyes, Jeff Bennett, Buddy Carlyle, or Jair Jurrjens take the fifth rotation spot? Tune in to find out. Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:44:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/141272 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/141272 The Braves had some issues with their bullpen in 2007 - costing them wins and frustrating everyone involved in the organization. Now that the Braves have addressed some personnel issues, BravesBlast says there are five things that need to happen for the bullpen to be successful. Sat, 09 Feb 2008 11:35:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/133328 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/133328 BravesBlast takes a look at the different candidates for the Braves rotation this coming year. The Braves will likely have a decent rotation, but best-case, we'll tell you why it could be one of the most potent in all of baseball. Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:27:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/73877 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/73877