2009 Braves Preview: Bullpen

Written by: David Lee on 3rd March 2009

2009 Braves Preview: Bullpen | read this item

If there was one bright spot in the 2008 season for the Atlanta Braves, it was the bullpen. Despite injuries to the setup man and closer, the bullpen remained a consistent asset for Bobby Cox when the rotation faltered time and time again. The Braves are expecting an even stronger staff in 2009.

Injuries to closer Mike Gonzalez, setup man Rafael Soriano, and Peter Moylan should have spelled doom for the Braves pen. Having the second most innings pitched in baseball should have worn down the arms of the relievers. But neither problem kept the group from posting solid numbers and being a reliable force every night. With healthier arms and the expectation of far less innings, this season should be even better for the Braves pen.

Mike Gonzalez: The closer returned from Tommy John surgery to appear in 36 games, though he was watched and treated carefully once he returned. He saved 14 games and posted a 4.28 ERA as he tried to shake the nerves and kinks in the later part of the season. With his first full season in Atlanta in his sights, Gonzalez is expected to return to the form that made him a dominating reliever in Pittsburgh.

Rafael Soriano: The setup man only appeared in 14 games due to injury in 2008 and is being watched carefully this Spring. His only concern is health. If his elbow doesn’t give any problems and he is able to throw with confidence, he should have no problem putting up numbers like in 2007, when he recorded a 3.00 ERA in 71 games. With the loss of Will Ohman, Soriano will be depended on even more in setting up for Gonzalez.

Peter Moylan: The sidearmer from Australia also went down with an elbow injury early in 2008, limiting him to only seven games. The 80 innings in 2007 caught up with him and led to his absence for almost all of last season. Moylan is in the same boat as Soriano in that his arm will be watched closely throughout the season. If he can maintain good health he will be one of the best seventh-inning relievers in the game.

Manny Acosta: Manny Acosta was forced into a role not suited for him in 2008 due to injuries, and he pitched too many innings in the first half. This led to spiked numbers and injuries of his own in the second half. If he can cut his amount of walks and add some strikeouts, Acosta will be a valuable arm in the bullpen, but not in the late innings.

Blaine Boyer: Blaine Boyer’s 2008 season is very similar to that of Acosta’s in that he was overworked in the first half and ended with terrible numbers in the second half. If used correctly, Boyer can also be a valuable arm in the bullpen. His ERA will be much better in 2009 as his number of innings decreases.

Boone Logan: Brought to Atlanta in the Javier Vazquez trade, Boone Logan will more than likely take the lefty role that Ohman filled last season. He has never really been able to get lefties out very well, as lefty hitters posted a .291 average against him in 2008. He is young and will be given opportunities, but this is the one spot in the bullpen that the Braves are taking a step back on. Eric O’ Flaherty was also added to the roster as a second option.

Jeff Bennett: Jeff Bennett served the role of swingman last season and did it well, recording a 3.70 ERA in 72 appearances, including four starts. He also had three saves. His walk rate is keeping him from becoming a solidified starter, but he is a very capable long reliever/spot starter. Expect much of the same this season as long as Jorge Campillo doesn’t interfere.

Topics: boone logan, jeff bennett, manny acosta, mike gonzalez, peter moylan, rafael soriano

Kevin Orris says:

March 7, 2009 at 3:12 am

The Braves bullpen will be one of the better ones in the league if the starting staff can last longer into ball games. Last year the bullpen was shot come June and that’s why the Braves were last in all of baseball in saves. It’s sort of embarrassing as a Braves fan to be associated with last years pitching staff, so hopefully 2009 will bring something new.

Don’t you think that Campillo will also be in the pen now, that is unless Glavine can’t pitch come Opening Day?
David Lee says:

March 7, 2009 at 1:09 pm

I agree. In my opinion, this season depends on the rotation more than anything else. If they are able to put last year behind them they should do good things. They took a huge step in that direction with all of the moves made.

I do expect Campillo to be in the pen as the long reliever/spot starter. I mentioned him in the rotation article but failed to add him to the bullpen. I guess I’m still used to him starting. Thanks for the heads up.
Mark Healey says:

March 8, 2009 at 11:20 pm

Bobby Cox has adapted many times through the years, and his bullpen management is evidence yet again of how good a skipper he is.
David Lee says:

March 9, 2009 at 10:18 am

Exactly. This is something I have noticed the past couple years. With all of the success through the 14-year run, it could have been easy for management to just sit back and think it was going to last forever and continue to manage the staff the same way. But Bobby Cox has shown the ability to win with what he is given. The past couple years have been impossible for anybody to deal with, but he is still getting the most out of his players and always will.