Yardbarker: Blaine Boyer

Wren Won't Give In. No Peavy

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:29:57 -0500

Unless the Padres all of a sudden cave in and lower their asking price, we won't see Peavy make his way to Atlanta any time soona??. or presumably ever.

Here's what Wren the man himself said.

"Jake Peavy is obviously a quality top-of-the-rotation pitcher. But our

focus is still to build our ...

Peavy going to the Braves??

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:04:09 -0500

The Atlanta Braves, full-steam ahead in their pursuit of right-hander Jake Peavy, are offering a four-player package of players, and San Diego is expected to request that Peavy waive his no-trade clause so the deal can be completed, CBSSports.com has learned.

Under terms of the deal discussed by the Braves and Padres, San Diego would receive shortstop Yunel Escobar, Class A outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, one of two starting pitchers -- Charlie Morton or Jo-Jo Reyes -- and either reliever Blaine Boyer or one of two minor-league left-handers (one of which is believed to be Jeff Locke).

In addition to Escobar and Hernandez, it is believed that the Padres, if the deal is completed, will opt for Morton, a 25-year-old right-hander who was 4-8 with a 6.15 ERA in 16 appearances -- 15 starts -- in 2008. They also are said to be leaning toward Boyer, a 27-year-old right-hander who was one of manager Bobby Cox's chief workhorses last season, finishing tied for ninth in the NL with 76 appearances.

The Braves have been pressuring the Padres for an answer by Friday, when the free agent market opens, because they need at least two starters -- and they want to know whether Peavy will be a Brave before they dive in. They are expected to pursue A.J. Burnett, Ryan Dempster and others -- and sign maybe one if they acquire Peavy, and two if they don't.

However, now the spotlight is close to swinging to Peavy, whose preference is said to be in Chicago with the Cubs. However, internally, the Padres view the Cubs' offer -- believed to include outfielder Felix Pie, infielder Ronny Cedeno and left-hander Sean Marshall, as being nowhere close to that of the Braves.

Whether Peavy agrees to accept a deal to Atlanta could become contingent on any number of things, including Atlanta guaranteeing Peavy's $22 million option for 2013, a full-no trade clause or travel considerations for Peavy's wife and children (the Peavys intend to keep their full-time home in San Diego, according to Axelrod).

Gamenight: Phillies (85-67) At Braves (67-85)

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:19:20 -0500

Headline: Phils call on Hamels to preserve sweep The Major Players: Cole Hamels, Brad Lidge, Pat Burrell, Mike Hampton, Blaine Boyer, Chipper Jones The Venue: Turner Field, Atlanta, Ga. (...)

Gamenight: Phillies (83-67) At Braves (67-83)

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:02:08 -0500

Headline: Phils look to keep momentum strong The Major Players: Jamie Moyer, Chase Utley, Chad Durbin, James Parr, Chipper Jones, Blaine Boyer The Venue: Turner Field, Atlanta, Ga. (...)

Recipe for disaster......the pen

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:40:08 -0500

Well the Mets have created quite a buzz in their last two losses, it seems like everywhere you go in the Mets blogosphere there is one thing being discussed the bullpen. In today in the New York Observer Howard Megdal tells us just how bad they are.....

The bullpen is awful by the standards of the very worst teams in Mets history. Only once in New York's existence has the team posted a half-season bullpen ERA over 5--in New York's very first year, the Mets had a bullpen ERA of 5.03 in the second half of a 40-120 season. The 1962 Mets, of course, had the most losses in baseball history. The 2008 Mets bullpen, in the second half, has been nearly a run worse. source NY Observer

So what has happened to this group, I think Duaner Sanchez after two years off is out of gas and the others might be right behind him. Joel Sherman in the post today points out that the Mets have four relievers at the top of the appearances stats, which is way beyond any other contending team.....

Pedro Feliciano and Aaron Heilman (68 games) are tied for third, one appearance behind Brave co-leaders Will Ohman and Blaine Boyer. Luis Ayala (66) was really pushed in Washington's pen before joining the Mets, and that overuse is often used as an explanation for his poor season with the Nationals. Joe Smith (64) is eighth in the league. source NY Post

Do the Mets have any options in the system, yes; but I'm not sure how much they can help. Al Reyes was signed to a minor league deal and is suppose to be up before roster expansion, he has pitched one scoreless, hit less inning in AA. His arm will be the freshest of any ones since he was on the DL twice this year and while his ERA is mid 4s that's actually lower then several relievers now pitcher. Reyes attributes his struggles to lack of regular use and never getting in a rhythm.

The two biggest bullpen prospects have struggled in the majors, Carlos Muniz had an ERA of 5.40 and Eddie Kunz is sporting a 16.87 ERA in AAA after his demotion got bombed. The Mets could use AAA closer Nate Field but the 34 y/o journeyman has never had much success in the minors.

With such a grim outlook it's understandable how the Star Ledger, Daily News and Lo Hud Journal all have stories about this years pen being reminiscent of last years collapse....

AccuScore Closer Report - 7/7

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:00:47 -0500

There is a new look to the Closer Report this week with expanded coverage of bullpen situations around baseball and rankings for the top fantasy closers and middle relievers. This week AccuScore analyst looks at the All-Star relievers, and has a problem with the selection of one player in particular. Also, the trade deadline is approaching so which closers could be swapping uniforms in the near future?

Bullpen Stabilized Thanks To Starters

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:17:53 -0500

The Braves' bullpen has had issues over the past month or so, but recently they've been stabilized thanks to some good starts by the Braves' injury plagued pitching staff and their fill-ins. Who's been good and who's just horrible as of late?

We're Not Dead Yet

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:58:38 -0500

The Braves may have gotten off to a bad start, but it's our turn to write "We're not dead yet" articles. What are the five keys to change in Atlanta? It starts with a facial hair change for me.

Braves Lose 12 Inning Marathon to Pirates, 12-11

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:49:59 -0500

The Braves' bullpen blew the lead to the Pittsburgh Pirates, then the bats came back from a 9-4 deficit in the bottom of the ninth. But the game wasn't over yet. 3 innings later, after four and a half hours of baseball, the Braves lost 12-11. But it was still a great game.

Braves Drop Exhibition To Tribe

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 05:25:24 -0500

The Braves' offense never got rolling in their first game at Turner Field this season as they dropped their exhibition opener to the Cleveland Indians. Blaine Boyer was rough looking in the fourth, giving the Indians a chance to pounce. And by pounce, I mean get hit by a pitch, get four hits, and score four runs.

Trade Rumors Circle Optionless Braves Players

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:19:59 -0500

The Braves have congestion in their bullpen and some trades appear imminent - though GM Frank Wren won't disclose exact goings on yet. We look at the players most likely to be traded and what they offer to other teams.

Braves Destroy Indians 11-4

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:09:07 -0500

Behind Mark Teixeira and Brian McCann, the Braves' offense exploded in a 9 run fourth inning, bailing out pitcher Buddy Carlyle, who thought he was pitching batting practice and gave up three solo home runs. Relief pitcher Blaine Boyer even scored once and knocked in a run himself.

NL East Bullpens

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:58:28 -0500

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.

Braves Bullpen - 5 keys to success in 2008

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 11:35:19 -0500

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.

Examining Blaine Boyer

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:06:23 -0500

Blaine Boyer had a successful 2005 season, but has dealt with injuries over the last two years. Now that he's preparing to make his return, he has the potential to provide the Braves bullpen with some depth - if he stays healthy.