Braves.Today.Com

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA — Since John Smoltz moved back from the bullpen to the starting rotation, the closer’s position for the Atlanta Braves has been a revolving door that typically spun out results that churned fans’ stomachs.

All of those Maalox moments looked to end in 2008. Rafael Soriano cashed in on 9-of-12 save chances in 2007, and the Braves rewarded the lanky right-hander with a two-year, $9.1 million contract and the closer’s job.

But as we all know, 2008 was the season where it all fell apart for the Bravos. Nobody embodied that more than Soriano, who pitched a grand total of 14 innings during a season marked by repeated trips to the disabled list, and frustration from fans and management at the 28-year-old’s inability to stay healthy.

A sore elbow revealed in early March raised some red flags, but by mid March he was throwing 94 mph. Then came the regular season, and four appearances in, Soriano landed on the DL with elbow discomfort. He was to be out just a couple of weeks, but didn’t return until late May.

He made five more appearances, then repeatedly told the Braves his elbow wasn’t well enough to pitch. That started a summer where Soriano’s status hung like a black cloud over a Braves’ bullpen that was burned out by overuse. He would return for four games in late July and one in August before going under the knife for season-ending surgery.

With Mike Gonzalez pitching well the final four months after returning from Tommy John surgery, the question looms: who is this team’s closer in 2009? It’s got to be Gonzalez. Soriano’s elbow problems and what some believe to be an unwillingness to pitch with discomfort will keep the Braves from banking too much on a pitcher that will make $6 million next season.

But Atlanta is stuck. Nobody’s going to want to take on that type of contract for a guy who may or may not be healthy enough – or have the desire – to pitch. Gonzalez has to be the guy in the ninth inning, and that may not be a bad thing.

When he’s on, Soriano is a menacing figure on the mound with a nasty fastball and good off-speed stuff. He definitely can help this team, and a bullpen fronting Soriano in the eighth and Gonzo in the ninth would be strong.

But can the Braves count on Soriano being ready by spring training? Time will tell, but pardon me if I’m not holding my breath.

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